Strategy, not power, to lead Bulldogs

Sobrato’s boys water polo team is going to be young this year, coach David Letts said. But there will be some key spots where the Bulldogs will command experience that could help the them be competitive in 2013.
“One good thing about this team is they’re young, but they’re willing to work hard and learn, which makes the upcoming season exciting for us,” Letts said.
The Bulldogs are coming off of a Central Coast Section playoffs appearance last year after finishing fourth in the Blossom Valley Athletic League tournament.
But Sobrato will have to battle the elite of the BVAL, looking up at Leland, Pioneer and Willow Glen, Letts said. At 4-13 overall and 1-4 in Mt. Hamilton Division play, Sobrato is also contending with Live Oak and Evergreen Valley.
The Bulldogs will do it with a lot of youth on their front line.
Letts said the team will not be the most potent offense in the pool, but it will try to make up for it with strategic play, trying to create mismatches along the way.
“We have quite a few seniors, but they’re a little less experienced,” Letts said.
The core seniors who will be leading the team include Nick Funke, Connor Bleeg and Luke Northcott.
Northcott will be minding the cage, directing the team from behind the lines and helping to get players into position to create the mismatches Letts is hoping for.
Bleeg will play two-meter defense and will be one player that Letts will count on to be a leader in the pool.
“He’s a big guy, strong, fast, so I’ll look for his experience to help our team,” Letts said.
Playing along side him will be Ben Jackson who Letts said needs to be the quarterback of the team.
Some of the more experienced players have been participating in off-season club teams, including the Morgan Hill Manta Rays.
Letts said a scrimmage against Christopher, which will be held Tuesday, should e a good gauge for there the team sits this year.
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Two of the newer players who are standing out for Letts are Sean Murray and Oliver Jensen.
“Those are two guys who come to practice and work hard,” Letts said.
Coming back for his second season on the team is sophomore Parth Shah.
“He’s grown a little bit, so he’s got a little bit of size on him which is good so this year he won’t be as intimidated,” Letts said.
Letts said the boys have had a taste of success from last year, being able to advance to the CCS playoffs, but now need to want more. He said the boys need to play within themselves, understand their strengths and weaknesses and work to exploit both to advance this year.
After the scrimmage, Sobrato will move on to play in the Connolly Tournament at Lynbrook on Sept. 9.