Righetti girls’ water polo opened its PAC 7 season with a 9-2 victory over Paso Robles Jan. 7.
A driving force behind that win was sophomore Erin Freeman, who came up big with four goals. Head coach Roxanne Eastwood said Freeman is manning the set position this year, and she has been working on perfecting her shots, positioning, and leadership on the team.
“Erin is a strong player who pushes herself to be better,” Eastwood said. “She continues to communicate more with her team and grow with her team.”
Freeman began her water-polo career five years ago when she decided to try something new. Already a swimmer, the sophomore said she fell in love with the sport right away.
“I was definitely tired after my very first practice,” she said, “but I just love to play and meet new people.”
Coming into the 2014 season, Freeman said she wanted to be one of the team’s leaders and to be a motivator. The set player said she has made improvements since freshmen year.
“I think I made a lot of mental improvements—I can cope with more now and not take myself out of the game,” she said.
Eastwood has noticed a definitive growth in her player from just one year ago.
“She has gained a lot more confidence in her play,” the coach said. “She steps up into open water, takes the right opportunities, and takes risks she hasn’t before.”
Freeman said the toughest competition for the Warriors will come from Arroyo Grande. The sophomore said the team will need to be mobile and communicate to be successful.
The sophomore added that girls’ water polo is very physical and there is a lot going on under the water. She said the biggest challenge with this sport is the time commitment.
“With water polo, you have to be committed. We have morning practices, and you’re with your team a lot,” she said. “But a love of the game keeps you coming back.”
Eastwood added that she has big expectations for Freeman this year.
“For this season, I expect her to continue to be an offensive leader on the team and challenge herself to be an even stronger player,” the coach said.
This article appears in Jan 16-23, 2014.