Scoring title is up for grabs

Burroughs and Burbank have players who could put up big numbers and score a wealth of goals this season.BURBANK -- The area scoring title is up for grabs this season in girls' water polo.

Last year's leader in goals, Catalina Casas, who tallied 124, led the region and set a new school record. For her efforts, Casas was earned All-Area Player of the Year, as well as earning All-CIF Southern Section Division I first-team and All-Almont League first-team honors.

However, she graduated, leaving the door open for a new high-scorer to take her place.

Burbank and Burroughs have two athletes each who will likely vie for crown.

Leading the Indians is senior hole-set Liz Seward, a 2005 All-Area first-teamer who scored 60 goals. Right behind her is teammate senior Bailey Porter, a driver who earned an All-Area second-team nod after tallying 45 goals.

"I am looking forward to seeing Bailey and Liz coexist in our offense this season," Indian second-year Coach Oscar Dorado said. "They will be a big, big part of our offense and we are going to rely on them a lot."

The Bulldogs will have a fine offensive weapon in senior driver Melanie Khanpapyan, whose 67 goals earned her All-Area second-team accolades. Teammate Francis Del Valle, a sprinter/driver, also has the potential to put up big numbers.

"Melanie is one of our team leaders, so she knows that we expect a lot from her this season," Burbank first-year Coach Ashley Ryan said. "She is turning into a very good player and she is continuing to improve."

With the season getting underway next week, here is a look at how the teams are shaping up.

BURROUGHS

Dorado and the Indians have the luxury of having five returning players from last year's team that didn't make the postseason. The coach said one of his team's major goals is to make it to the Division I playoffs.

"We want to do just like we did with the boys' team this season and make it to CIF," he said. "We want to do well in league, and we want to win the rival game against Burbank."

Dorado said Seward is a talented athlete who will handle the ball a lot in the offense. In fact, much of the offense will go through the senior.

As for Porter, the coach said she has developed a fine shot that should catch many opponents off guard.

"We are changing our offense around a little this season," Dorado said. "We like to change things up and do some new things every year.

"But we have a good group and we should be a good team."

In goal, Burroughs will have the services of senior Jasmine Whitman.