Acorns’ leading scorer among five locals named to all-league lists in Mount Hamilton, Santa Teresa
Rachel Cretcher’s spectacular play and veteran leadership this fall did wonders for Live Oak’s girls water polo program, now in a rebuilding phase under first-year coaches.
Her individual achievements easily went beyond the normal expectation for a senior, so much that Cretcher has been named to the head of her class in the Mount Hamilton Division as Senior of the Year.
“It was a building season for us, and it was a challenge for her,” co-coach Sara Crusinberry said. “But she stepped up and was a good role model for the brand-new girls and the veterans, not just for her playing ability but her attitude. Rachel’s always positive, encouraging and upbeat.”
In four years starting for Live Oak High School, Cretcher became a scoring machine and a defensive force at hole set and hole D. She led her team in goals this season and helped guide the Acorns to a share of third place in the division and a Central Coast Section playoff berth.
Live Oak (10-9) earned the No. 10 seed in Division II and lost 13-8 to No. 7 Menlo in the first round.
“We definitely had some struggles this season,” Crusinberry said. “Rachel never gave up, and a lot of the other girls bought into her attitude by playing hard.
“She made my job a lot easier.”
Live Oak’s other all-league honorees are sophomore Marissa Sendejas and senior Priscilla Orona. Sendejas was named to the first team at driver, and Orona made the second team as a utility player — and fitting honor after she started at every position during her career.
Sobrato, also in rebuilding mode, had two players named to the all-league list in the Santa Teresa Division.
Senior 2-meter set/2-meter D Devin Koehler made the first team, and freshman 2-meter D Mya Read the second.
“Those two carried us at both ends of the pool,” first-year coach Kevin Paulsen said. “Devin could set at one side and play defense at the other — the two hardest jobs in the pool.
“Mya was an offensive threat. The fact that she started as a freshman is amazing.”
The Bulldogs placed fourth out of five teams in the division.
