The Southwestern League water polo coaches and Darin Mott, athletic director of Murrieta Valley High School, recently announced the selections for the First and Second All-League teams. The first-place team always hosts the meeting with their school’s athletic director, which, again, went the way of the Nighthawks for the girls’ teams. Garnishing an undefeated Southwestern League record, Murrieta Valley has still not been challenged for a league title since before 2014.
The Nighthawks not only won league, but also swam their way to a CIF Southern Section Division 2 title this past season, giving them their sixth overall, and first since 2016.
Based on where the SWL team placed also determines how many selections that team will get. For the girls’ team, Murrieta Valley showcased senior Jaden Soto as the league MVP, and by coming in first place, was granted five selections overall: three First Team, two Second Team. League standings were not completed for this past season on MaxPreps, but it looks as if Great Oak, Vista Murrieta, Chaparral, Temecula Valley and Murrieta Mesa placed in that order.
The complete list of girls’ water polo players selected as All-League for the SWL are as follows:
GIRLS’ MVP: Jaden Soto – Murrieta Valley – 12
GIRLS’ FIRST TEAM
Mackenzie Wood, Murrieta Valley (11); Elizabeth Hernandez, Murrieta Valley (12); Amy Pearce, Murrieta Valley (12); Jill Rumph, Great Oak (11); Paige Ellinger, Great Oak (12); Aleria Valenzuela, Vista Murrieta (11); Hailey Munoz, Vista Murrieta (12); Mallory Benedict, Chaparral (12); Kayla Tweed, Temecula Valley (12); Ariah Martinez, Temecula Valley (10).
GIRLS’ SECOND TEAM
Kristin Alexander, Murrieta Valley (12); Grace Boyer, Murrieta Valley (9); Maddie Turner, Vista Murrieta (12); Celeste Gonzalez, Vista Murrieta (12); Amber Morgan, Great Oak (12); Larissa Mendiburo, Great Oak (11); Natalia Ferrette, Chaparral (11); Aiden Mante, Chaparral (11); Brooke Davis, Temecula Valley (12); Nicole Allbee, Temecula Valley (12); Savannah Sollie, Murrieta Mesa (12); Kristen Maag, Murrieta Mesa (12).
As for All-CIF Southern Section selections, Soto was named the Player of the Year in Division 2, and was joined by three teammates, as well as head coach Bryan Lynton, who was selected as the Coach of the Year. The three Nighthawks also selected were Mackenzie Wood, Elizabeth Hernandez, and Amy Pearce.
In Division 4, representing the area was Reagann Elders, a senior from Temescal Canyon, and in Division 6, Marianna Smith and Brooke Bimbo, both juniors from Lakeside High School, represented from the Elsinore area.
JP Raineri can be reached via email at sports@reedermedia.com.
