By Matt Phelps
Mercer Island and Bainbridge Island high schools are the only two girls water polo programs in the state to win the Washington State Championship during the 15-year history of the postseason tournament. It was only fitting that the most competitive championship game in the tournament’s history was played between the two programs Sunday.
“There is no other team we would rather play this year,” said Islander Ashley Sturgis. “There is no bigger rivalry in girls water polo.”
Despite being knocked out of contention by the Spartans in 2004, starting the game down 0-2 and being a heavy underdog, Mercer Island persevered to win its seventh title in eight years, 5-4.
“That was just a great game,” said Mercer Island girls water polo head coach Jeff Lowell. “A lot of people doubted this team and these girls earned a lot of respect.”
Bainbridge was on the attack from the start. A steal, just three seconds into the game, led to a break away and the game’s first goal on a penalty shot.
The Spartans earned their second goal just two minutes later as Islander goalkeeper Jane Billbe blocked the initial shot, but a rebound put-back made the Spartan faithful cheer.
The Islanders used their half-pool offense to get back into the game. Ashley Sturgis found Katie Hall just in front of the Spartan goal for the point-blank shot to cut the Bainbridge lead in half.
Islander Danielle Welch came up big on the Spartan’s next possession with a thunderous block on the shot of tournament Most Valuable Player Anne Scott of Bainbridge Island.
The ensuing Islander possession saw Scott earn a foul. The penalty was costly as Mercer Island gained 6-on-5 offensive possession. Scott was released from the penalty when Hall took a pass from Islander Sara Boehler and put it in the back of the Spartan’s net to tie the game at 2-2.
Scott came back with a vengeance, scoring on her team’s next possession.
With time running down during the first period, Mercer Island gained possession and Welch took a shot from 30-feet out. The rocket shot resulted in tying the game at 3-3 heading into the second quarter.
Scott earned her second penalty during the second period but the Spartans recaptured the lead.
“Sometimes I get down on myself and my teammates have been there all year to bring me back up,” said Billbe. “This was a team effort.”
Both teams played tough defense, with the Islanders being led by Billbe with four saves during the quarter.
The only shot that got under Billbe’s arm skipped off the water with 32 seconds left in the half to give Bainbridge the 4-3 advantage.
The third period was all defense as neither team could put the ball in the back of the net. In fact, the Islanders had four consecutive possessions resulting in five shots, four saves and no goals. Three times Mercer Island had a player advantage and failed to score during the third.
The fourth period began ominously for the Spartans as Scott fouled out of the game.
“We had to shut her down and Katie (Schaeffer) did a great job,” said Sturgis.
Mercer Island finally broke through with 3:51 remaining in the game, again with its half-pool offense. The team passed the ball nine times before finding a lethal combination.
Welch to Boehler to Hall resulted in the game-tying goal.
“This game came down to heart,” said Boehler. “(Facing Bainbridge) is what I was hoping for and what all of us were hoping for.”
Bainbridge got in foul trouble again with 1:33 left. The man advantage allowed Welch to give Hall a hard pass to the inside of the Spartan defense. Hall sent a rocket shot to the back of the net. Without Scott, Bainbridge was powerless to mount any offense and the Islanders held off the defending champions.
Mercer Island began the pool play by beating Bainbridge’s junior varsity team 23-1 and then took out Roosevelt 12-3 in the first round of the tournament. Mercer Island went on to defeat Newport 7-2.
Boehler and Sturgis were selected to the all tournament first team and Welch was a second team selection. Hall was an honorable mention.
Carolyn Glidden, who played for Bellevue and lives on Mercer Island, led the Wolverines to a sixth-place finish and was selected to the first team.