It hasn’t taken Erik Zador long to rebuild the Ripon girls water polo team back into a contender, though did not expect it to happen so quickly.

Ripon’s boys and girls teams opened Valley Oak League play on Monday at Ervin Zador Aquatic Center with wins over Sierra. Zador’s squad held off the two-time defending champion Timberwolves, 8-6, while the boys, led by coach Jeremy West, began their title defense far more comfortably, 13-1.

After claiming back-to-back Sac-Joaquin Section Division III banners, the Ripon girls disbanded in 2024 because of low numbers. It was revived last fall with a roster of mostly freshmen.

“We had no expectations, and I think that’s probably has a lot to do with it,” Zador said. “We didn’t forecast this. I just wanted my girls to give them a run. We’re young, and they’ve been working really hard. I just wanted them to come out with energy.”

Winners of three straight, Ripon (1-0 VOL, 8-3 overall) and its 10-member roster has just upperclassman in senior Sydney Isensee.

After trailing 4-2, it was Ripon that responded like a veteran group, rallying for six unanswered goals while holding Sierra (0-1, 4-7) scoreless for 13-plus minutes. Ripon had five different goal scorers in the game-changing second period, and freshman Molly Kaley put the home team ahead for good with 1:13 to go.

“I think they just got nervous,” Sierra coach Lauren Koury said. “The nerves got a hold of them, and they started to panic and rush the game and not focus on what they could control.”

The Timberwolves made things interesting late after their attack floundered in the middle quarters.

Briella Ramirez ended the scoring drought 1 ½ minutes into the fourth period. Phoebe Burke then intercepted an errant pass in front of the Ripon goal for a routine 1-on-1 that she put away, closing Sierra in 8-6 with still 4:00.46 remaining.

Ripon tightened back up defensively and worked the clock with cleaner passing on the other end to seal the victory.

Sophomore goalie Hunter Bell Browne-Lyles came up with some big stops in the second and third quarters, when she tallied seven of her nine saves. Cooper Russell (six steals, assist), Rori Staley and Rosa Martinez (six steals) each scored two goals. Lauren Durao added one goal and three assists. Kaley had two steals and an assist to go with her go-ahead goal.

“There were a couple missed opportunities from Sierra, and then we just kind of capitalized on it,” Zador said. “I think our defense was probably what won us the game more than anything. Sierra is a phenomenal team, and everybody gets a bad game. I do not expect them to come back with the same kind of results. I think they’re going to come back with a vengeance.”

Kenidee Bauer paced Sierra with three goals, two steals and an assist. Freshman goalie Anya Muddam collected 11 saves.

“We have seven freshmen who are great learners, but that’s 50 percent of our team,” Koury said. “They’ll definitely come along, and we have some juniors who are well-versed. Honestly, I think we kind of needed that loss to wake up and understand that we have something to fight for. When you’ve been at the top for the last couple years, there’s always someone coming and willing to take you down.”

Ripon’s champion boys team did not feel so threatened in its league opener, bursting to a 6-0 first-quarter lead and giving its reserves ample playing time the rest of the way.

Andrew Hanker converted on three of his seven shot attempts for goals. Boen West scored three first-quarter goals. Lucas Rietkerk pitched in two goals and three assists.

Trevor Bell had two goal, five steals and three assists. TJ Corgiat, Ethan Hsieh and Deven Patel (two assists, steal) added one goal apiece.

Goalie Gage Saavedra recorded five saves and an assist.

Dallin Murray netted the lone goal for Sierra. Noah Brum and Kody Stone each had two blocks and a steal. Goalie Logan Busalacchi had 13 saves.

“I just wanted to see the boys execute,” coach West said. “I’m OK if somebody’s bigger, better, stronger or whatever, but I just really want them to play smart water polo. If we can do the right things in the right situations, I’m going to be pretty happy with the result.”