After last years loss against Fenwick in the sectional finals, both the girls and boys water polo programs are hoping for a different outcome this time around. Placing second in the West Suburban Conference, both boys and girls varsity water polo are heading to the semifinals tonight with their fingers crossed in hopes to play on Saturday for a chance to appear at State.

“Both teams have really worked hard and improved all season to get to this point,” Coach Drumm said. “We’ve also both played in a lot of tough, close games this season, There is no doubt in my mind we are ready for tonight’s challenge. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

At 6 PM, York Boys Varsity will play against St. Patricks with the assistance of a couple JV Allstars to bring up not only the number of players on the bench, but the skill set in the water. The Dukes are lead out of the water by Coaches Brian Drumm and Collin Albue and by the starting seniors within the water.

“We believe that our whole season has been leading up to this sectional tournament,” senior Brennan Sanders said. “If we stick to what we have been training for, we can pull off a victory.”

The last time these boys faced St. Patricks they lost to them in overtime by one point. This season has been a humbling one for the Dukes, but they are ready to prove that their name is meant to stay in the top 15.

“Going into the game everybody is feeling confident in our ability to win this game,” senior William Salek said. “Of course there are pregame jitters, but we are all most definitely ready to go.”

Seniors Gary Derwin, Simon Degrace, William Salek, Brennan Sanders, William Dyra, and Brandon Musgrave are prepared to make this game one of their best, with the assistance of their fellow players.

“The teams in our sectionals are some of the best teams in state and have a long history of winning,”  sophomore William Yasdick said. “However, the York water polo team is up and coming, and we can stand against them.”

At 8 PM, girls varsity will be playing against Oak Park River Forest for their chance to compete in the sectionals final. They are lead into tonight by Coaches Mark Giuliani and Erin Fox; however, the girl’s teamwork and communication will be the main reason for a possible win tonight.

Any time OPRF and York face off in girls water polo, an intense game is always expected. In recent years, the Lady Dukes have continued to win against OPRF, making an appearance in the sectionals final; however, each year is different and these ladies are prepared to bring new skills, and plays into tonight’s game.

“It a great way to be apart of a family,” junior Rachel Sapata said. “I feel like you’re a part of a family because you are with each other for hours upon hours, it’s really fun to play with such an amazing group of girls, I hope the season isn’t over just yet.”

Seniors Alex Danciutiu, Maddie Fitzpatrick, Nora Billenstein, Marissa Logan, Elyse Peterson, Katerina Siavelis, and Sydney Hutchinson are preparing to lead the rest of their team in the sectional finals as they depend on the skills they have learned in all their years on this team.

“It’s a really big weekend because whoever wins goes to state, you need to get into the right mindset because you want to go to state, its all about state,” senior Marissa Logan said. “ This weekend is really fun because it’s the end of the school year and it’s the last week.”

Come to the York pool at 6 PM to cheer on your fellow dukes as they face off against St. Patricks, and at 8 PM to support the lady dukes against Oak Park River Forest.

“Some sports prefer silence for concentration, however, in water polo the louder the crowd the more aggressive and competitive the players get,” junior Isaac Marlot said. “We would love to look up in the stands and see a crowd of green and white cheering both teams towards success.”