Shooting Her Shot
In the realm of sports, records are not merely words embroidered into a banner hanging from a school gym, but a testament to an athlete’s strive for achievement. Senior and captain of the girls varsity water polo team, Lia Lakis, broke the girls water polo record for the most goals scored in a single season with 130 goals. Her accomplishment reflects the team’s success this year, with the team qualifying for the second division in the California Interscholastic Federation Championships. By fostering team relationships, Lakis was able to help form a successful, synchronized team. She credits her record to the importance of hard work and team bonding.
“I did not know I broke the record until they announced it on the loudspeaker during third period,” Lakis said. “I was more shocked than anything. My brother also broke a record two years ago [for the fastest 50-meter freestyle at the school], so I am excited that I [could follow in his footsteps].”
For Lakis, the journey to breaking this record was not merely about setting a personal milestone; it was about discovering the meaning of hard work and pushing her limits. Her water polo career was characterized by countless setbacks such as frustrating referee calls during games and not making the A-roster for club teams. Through consistent endurance, rigorous training and evolving her gameplay to adapt to her opponents, she was able to champion a successful season. Her commitment and passion for water polo will now carry on beyond high school as she was recruited to play for Santa Clara University.
“Consistency is key,” Lakis said. “It sounds cliché, but it is honestly so true. Every day I would go to school practice for three hours then [drive] to Long Beach to have another two hour club session.”
While water polo has taught Lakis about personal endurance, it has also taught her the interpersonal skills necessary to lead as a captain. She attributes her impressive gameplay to her ability to forge friendships and trust with players such as Caroline Mckeel, a junior and fellow teammate. Each player has a specific role to fulfill, whether it is scoring, defending or assisting; mutual trust between players like Mckeel and Lakis is vital to the collective effort of the entire team because it enables seamless coordination to enhance overall performance. Through concise communication and team bonding outside of school, Lakis and her team were able to become more tight-knit.
“I know [Lakis] is our best player and it is [great] that she got to follow in her brother’s footsteps,” Mckeel said. “[As our captain], she leads us – we give her the passes, she gets the steals and we [set up] the balls [for her awesome shots. Whenever] we give her the ball [she can make any goal].”
As Lakis celebrates her record-breaking achievement, she remains focused ahead for a new water polo season beyond high school, knowing that success in sports and in life is best achieved through endurance and collaboration. The significance of those lessons were vital to the success of her game as her coach, Charles Kim, highlights how Lakis is one of the team’s most vital assets.
“When we need a goal, [Lakis] is the person we optimally rely on,” Kim said. “[She is] able to adapt in-game, read the situation and [ultimately] able to put the ball in the net. She is our offensive weapon. In order to stop us, [our opponents] have to figure out how to stop [Lakis] first.”
