IN CHARGE OF THEIR GOAL AGOURA SAVED BY CAREDDA'S UNQUESTIONED LEADERSHIP.

Byline: Heather Gripp  Staff Writer

AGOURA HILLS - The Agoura High girls' water polo team can watch Graziella Caredda only so long before the what-ifs start.

What if the Chargers didn't have her strong legs, quick reactions and ability to lunge across the goal to block shot after shot? What if they didn't have her strong arm and field vision to set up counterattacks? What if they didn't have the leadership of someone with first-hand knowledge of what it takes to win a Southern Section championship?

Agoura is happy to not have to know the answers to those questions.

Caredda switched from being a field player to a goalkeeper during her freshman year when the junior varsity's regular goalie was injured. The position seemed like such a natural fit Caredda never gave it up. By the time her freshman season ended, she had started a varsity playoff game. By the end of her junior season, she had earned All-Southern Section honors and helped the Chargers to their first Southern Section title.

Now a senior, Caredda is not only one of the region's elite goalies, attracting attention form Division I colleges, she is the Chargers' lone returning starter and foundation for ensuring the program's winning ways continued.

``We joke around about it, what if?'' Agoura senior Ilana Allegro said. ``We ask, `What if that other girl never got hurt? Would you still be a field player? How good would you be? Would you even still be playing?' It's hard to imagine what it'll be like without her.''

With her, the Chargers are 8-1 and encouraged about their chances of winning a fourth consecutive Marmonte League title after having defeated Royal of Simi Valley, the team considered their biggest league threat, last week for the second time this season.

``If they get past our defense, I know our team has confidence in her that she'll block the ball,'' Allegro said.

Opponents agree.

``Graziella's probably the best in our league,'' Royal coach Devin Hurst said.

Last season, in her first year as a varsity starter, Caredda broke Michelle Rozzen's school record for saves in a season. This season, with an offense that doesn't press as much, Caredda is facing more shots, putting her within reach of breaking Rozzen's career save record. Caredda has 79 saves through nine games.

``She's definitely one of the best out there,'' Agoura coach Jason Rosenthal said. ``I see her every day, so it's hard for me to really notice how much she's improved, but she's a hard worker and definitely has improved from last year.''

Caredda, 17, has attended camps and worked with Agoura's boys' goalkeepers in constant pursuit to master the position she loves ``because it doesn't get boring.'' She played volleyball as a freshman, but by the time she was a sophomore she wanted to devote her time to goalkeeping year- round.

``Just looking at the varsity girls and how much talent was there, I wanted to be a part of it,'' Caredda said. ``My mom told me if I wanted to be like that, I'd have to work really hard and put in a lot of time, and that's when I decided I want to do it.''

She thrives on the adrenaline rush that comes with being the last line of defense. Her new role as team leader this season can be equally satisfying.

``Going into the first game, they were nervous,'' Caredda said. ``I was like, `Don't worry about it.' I try to build up their confidence and tell them to relax. They start comparing themselves to last year's team. I tell them not to think about last year. They're like, `What if we don't win league?' Whatever happens, happens. I try to share my experience - I know what it's like to go far - but I know it's important for them to relax and just try to do their best and have fun. They're doing that, and we're doing really well.''

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Agoura goalie Graziella Caredda is described by other coaches as the ``best in the league.''

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer