Sierra High's inaugural water polo season ended Wednesday with an 18-8 Valley Oak League loss to playoff-bound Ripon in the boys match.
Ripon’s Valley Oak League champion girls team was comprised of junior varsity players, who rolled, 18-7.
"I'm very proud of the way (the boys team) came together," said Timberwolves coach Corey Winter, who saw his first-year program make strides as the season progressed. Winter is a Ripon graduate who played for the Indians.
He added: "All you can do was give them the tools — it's what they did with it."
Indians coach Christine Zador called Sierra "a scrappy team." Her team is gearing up to face first-place Oakdale in the coming weeks.
"It's going to be a hard game," she said. "We'll have to keep on working (against the Mustangs)."
Ripon (6-1 VOL, 9-9 overall) displayed its efficient passing attack to the host Timberwolves.
Kaleb Hinrichsen and Maika West were the one-two punch, with West scoring at least four of his six goals during the first half on passes from Hinrichsen.
Hinrichsen also scored a pair of goals — Kai West and Conor Self had the other two — as the Indians staked out a 10-3 lead at the break.
Zach Van Zwaluenberg netted all three goals for Sierra. He finished with six overall.
Ben Supinger scored twice early in the third period as the Timberwolves trimmed the deficit to 11-5.
From there, Ripon cruised the rest of the way, with Zador using mostly reserves.
"Everyone got playing time," she said.
Her goalie Matthew De La O racked up five saves during his first half of work.
The Lady Indians jumped out to an early 13-0 lead over the Timberwolves.
Ripon's junior varsity team played in place of the varsity squad that's currently 6-0 in league, 15-3 overall. Kennedy Brubaker amassed six goals, four in the opening quarter, while Emma Ayers scored three.
Molly Fadeff once again led Sierra by scoring five goals.
"It's tough to compete in this league," said Timberwolves coach Dave Breitenbucher.
He saw improvements in his team throughout the season and was encouraged by the progress.
"We went from zero experience to learning how to play well together," Breitenbucher said. "We have a good core coming back.
"We will continue to keep improving."