Hialeah’s girls’ water polo team dethroned three-time defending state champion Ransom Everglades at its home pool Saturday morning.
The Thoroughbreds (20-2) held a narrow lead in every quarter on the way to an 11-8 victory over Ransom (11-12) in a state play-in match. Hialeah advanced to state for the first time since 2009.
“We played a really good game,” Hialeah coach Alex Donis said. “We know Ransom well, they have multiple state championships and they always push us.”
Freshman Melanie Hernandez led Hialeah with three goals. Carolina Carrera-Justiz led Ransom with four goals. Hialeah will face either Oviedo Hagerty or Orlando Boone in a state quarterfinal at Ransom on Friday.
The loss ended an attempt at four straight state championships and an eighth in the past nine years by the Raiders girl’s team.
Ransom Everglades’ boy’s water polo team, however, improved to 28-0 with a 14-1 victory over Miami Country Day (19-8).
The undefeated Raiders will face either Hagerty or or Boone in a state quarterfinal.
“After winning a hard fought match against Belen, we are really excited to get here and our defense looked strong,” Ransom coach Eric Lefebvre said. Ransom has not been to state since winning the title in 2008.
Jason Gould led Ransom with four goals. The lone Miami Country Day goal was scored by Jonathan Abramowitz.
MORE GIRLS’ WATER POLO
▪ Gulliver 20, Mourning 3: Niki Aulicino 6 goals, 2 steals, 3 assists. Shani Rupp 4 goals, 2 steals, 2 assists. Elizabeth Perez 9 blocks, 2 steals, 3 assists.
BOYS’ WATER POLO
▪ Gulliver 7, Krop 6: Caio Jordao 4 goals, 6 steals. Bruno Rebessi goal, 5 steals, assist. Kamal Kay-Ramos 11 blocks, 2 steals.
▪ St. Thomas Aquinas 16, Boca Raton 6: Parker Strickman 7 goals. James Burnette 4 goals. Dane Coniglio 2 goals. Robert Schulte goal. Alejandro Alvaro goal. Grant Sabadash goal. Corby Bertolett 17 saves. STA 24-1.
SOFTBALL
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE
▪ Coral Gables 16, Florida Christian 7 (8 innings): WP: Sydney Pell (7-2), 8 IP, 7K’s. LP: Megan Rodriguez. Ashley Knapp 2-2, HR, 3 RBI, 3 BB. Kylie Santana 2-4, 4 R, 2B, 3 RBI, 3 SB. Ericka Eusebio 3-5, 2B, 2 RBI, R. Natalie Regalado 3-3, RBI, R, BB. CG 12-5.
▪ Braddock 6, South Dade 5: WP: Carydad Bolivar. Madison Smith H. Nicole Caldera H, R. Cary Bolivar R.
▪ Colonial Christian 24, Island Christian 13: WP: Ana Long (8-2), CG, 6K’s, 2S, 2RBI. CC (10-3): Morgan Wells 2S, 2B, 2RBI, 3SB. Toni Torres 2S, 3RBI.
Source: www.miamiherald.com
