GIRLS' WATER POLO PREVIEW: NO THOUGHTS OF DIVISION AT AGOURA -- EXCEPT IN WINNING TITLE CHEMISTRY PROBLEMS SOLVED, TEAM SAYS.

Byline: IVAN OROZCO Staff Writer

AGOURA HILLS - The Agoura girls' water polo team retained its coach with an abrupt meeting.

Jason Rosenthal had already witnessed his team's chemistry decline before losing the Southern Section Div. IV title game to Santa Barbara when he considered quitting as coach of the Chargers.

That's when a group of his players decided to meet with a displeased Rosenthal after a swim workout.

``We just told him that we wanted it to be different around here,'' Jillian Waldron said, the Chargers' senior driver. ``We told him it's just not about winning. It's about just having fun. It's more than just focusing in on a CIF title. We told him we would change. Take one thing at a time. More of an attitude change.''

Rosenthal was coaching a detached team that sometimes played as individuals. Personal statistics were often more important than team growth.

There was a sense of distrust among teammates.

``People talked behind each other's backs,'' Carly Clark said, a team co-captain. ``There was gossip and arguments. We wouldn't play together.''

Despite the adversity, the Chargers had the talent to win and managed to go undefeated in Marmonte League play. Agoura cruised through the playoff bracket, advancing to the championship game by beating league rival Royal of Simi Valley in the semifinals before losing the title game to Santa Barbara 8-7.

``Last year's team didn't have fun,'' Rosenthal said. ``I felt like I let the team down. It might have been my fault we lost (the title game).

``After they talked to me, it reminded me that coaching is not about winning. It touched me that they made an effort to see what was wrong. I realized I didn't get to enjoy what I was doing.

``My mind was somewhere else. Part it of it was the stress put on winning the CIF title. To stay, I didn't think I could have enjoyed it. We looked over the good times. This (year's) team is different. It jells.''

Agoura is the favorite to win the Marmonte League again and make a run at the division title.

The Chargers return three first-team All-CIF players in Hawaii-bound goalkeeper Sara Gralitzer, Casey Flacks and Clark, who has committed to UC Santa Barbara. Waldron was a second team All-CIF selection last season.

Flacks, a junior and co-team captain, is not only speedy, but quick with the ball. Gralitzer might be the best goalkeeper in the area. The senior not only solidifies the Agoura defense, but can make precise passes to open up the attack.

Clark, a senior and a standout at the hole set position, is an integral part of the Chargers' passing and setting up the attack.

Clark complements Waldron in the strong side of the pool.

Waldron is a utility player who Rosenthal said can be dangerous at the driver position with her ability to send out quick shots off a pass.

``I'm more confident with my shot,'' Waldron said. ``That should help now that we work together as a team. That should help us as we try to win league.''

The Chargers begin Marmonte League play today as it hosts Royal 3:15 p.m. The Highlanders are the team considered to challenge Agoura for the title.

``We should be equally matched,'' Waldron said about Royal. ``They usually give us a good game.''

Royal returns All-CIF second team selection Agnes Konopka and third team selection Angelea Rampton. The Highlanders finished as the league runner-up with a 10-2 record and soundly beat Malibu in the first round and Dos Pueblos in the quarterfinals before running into Agoura.

``One of our biggest obstacles this year is all the good teams in our division and in the area,'' Rosenthal said.

Thousand Oaks, third place in Marmonte League a year ago, might still be a contender despite losing a first team All-CIF player in Kat Plummer, second team selection Jenna Conway and Caitlin Meehan, a third team addition, to graduation.

The Lancers will be led by Whitney Delgado, a returning All-CIF third team selection.

Other area top teams include Rio Mesa of Oxnard, last year's Pacific View League champions, Mission League champion Harvard-Westlake of Studio City (who returns junior Nadia Dan, regarded a top player in Div. III), and Pacific League champion Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta.

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