Water Polo Girls

In Thursdays action…
The girls water polo team fell to Campolindo HS 10-9 in overtime in the NCS semifinals.
The boys water polo team was edged out by Miramonte HS 6-5 in the NCS semifinals.
The football team was defeated by Las Lomas HS.  The jv team tied the Knights 14-14.

Thursdays individual standouts…
Girls water polo                Barbara Lanier scored 3 goals, Megan Dietrich 2 goals, and Lizzie Newman, Ellyn Stewart and Molly Quinn one goal each. Katie Ramm had 14 saves.

Boys water polo               Connor Reid scored 2 goals, and Jack Hillman, Connor Mattox, and Andrew Schnugg one goal each.

Football                             Aaron Edwards and Carson Gardner scored rushing touchdowns.

R. Takahashi

The defending NCS Champion Dons defeated the Campo Cougars 20-10, advancing to the NCS Division I Semifinals on Thursday at Miramonte starting at 615PM. Tanner Cullen scored seven goals to lead the charge.

Acalanes Girls Water Polo, who came in 2nd at NCS last year, play their NCS Semifinal match at Campo on Thursday at 430PM.

Gint Federas

In yesterdays action…
The Acalanes Dons girls water polo team defeated San Rafael HS 15-1 to advance to Saturdays NCS quarterfinal round where they will be the host school at 3:45.

In todays action…
The girls volleyball team closes out the regular season hosting Dublin HS.  The seniors will be honored at 6:00.  Freshmen at 4:00, jv at 5:00, varsity at 6:30.

R. Takahashi

In yesterdays action…
The girls water polo team defeated Miramonte HS 6-3.
The boys water polo team was defeated by Miramonte HS 11-8.
The girls cross country team finished 2^nd and the boys 4^th at the DFAL Center Meet.

In todays action…
The girls tennis team has a match at Dublin HS at 3:30.
The freshman football team hosts Dublin HS at 5:00.

Yesterdays individual standouts…
Girls water polo – Megan Dietrich and Molly Quinn each scored 2 goals, and Megan Mes had 6 saves, and Katie Ramm had 4 saves.
Boys water polo – Connor Reid scored 5 goals, Tanner Cullen scored 2 goals, and Tucker Stone had 6 saves.
Cross country – Annie Marggraff finished 2^nd, Amy Hollshwandner 5^th, Kelly Collins 9^th, Tara Bozzini 11^th, and Kelli Berge 12^th
Tyler Troxel finished 10^th.

R. Takahashi

In yesterdays action…
The boys water polo team defeated Las Lomas HS 16-7.
The girls water polo team was defeated by Las Lomas HS.
The girls tennis team was narrowly defeated by Las Lomas HS 5-4.

In todays action…
The girls volleyball team hosts Dougherty Valley HS.  Freshmen at 4:00, jv at 5:00, varsity at 6:30.  This evening is dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  To raise money for this worthy cause, donations will be accepted and food, drinks, and bracelets will be sold.
The freshman football team hosts Dougherty Valley HS at 5:00.

Yesterdays individual standouts…
Boys water polo – Connor Reid scored 4 goals, Tanner Cullen and Tommy Bush scored 3 goals each, and Jake O’Malley and Jack Hillman each scored 2 goals.
Girls tennis – Tessa Karagocev, Ida Barabi, and Grace Chow won singles matches. Jenny Yang and Amy Liu won their doubles match.

R. Takahashi

The tile donor wall erected on the back of the library wall is scheduled for completion in November, so this is truly the final call for those of you that would like a tile.  Everyone is invited to participate.

If you haven’t seen the new Heaston Aquatic Center (AKA the ‘Beast’), we invite you to take a self guided tour and learn a little something about Don Parent Power. From the Bond issue to the Booster Bash, you’ve helped create something truly extraordinary and lasting for both Acalanes and the broader community.

Build it, and they will come.  Like the movie, the line of user groups seeking our facility is now longer than I have room to mention. Obviously, this is good for Acalanes, aquatic sports and the Lafayette community.

To all of our supporters, thank you for your confidence, commentary, and of course, your cash, in seeing this project through.   As part of a parent group we can only describe as ‘exceptional’, you are all invited to take your place on this perpetual tribute to the fortitude and spirit of living and parenting in Lafayette.

FINAL CUTOFF 10-31.  For more information contact:

Ken Chan        chanfam94549@yahoo.com
John Schnugg  jschnugg@033growth.com
Meg Reid         Megoreid@comcast.net

This past Wednesday, (October 12), the Lady Dons water polo team, squared off against their DFAL league rivals, the Campolindo Cougars.
The Lady Dons have already faced the Cougars once this season, in the semifinals of the Acalanes Invitational. Although the Dons fought valiantly, they were unable to defeat the cougars in the Invitational. Despite some questionable reffing, and the absence of a key player, Barbara Lanier, the Lady Dons were clearly outplayed and lost 9-4. Going into the game, coach Misha Buchel was confident with their defensive plan, but aware of the stiff competition that was presented by Campolindo.
“It’s easier to match up with them then some other teams because their best players aren’t post up players, so it’s not like we have to make sure we have a post up defender. We just need to have someone that can swim with them and is fairly quick.” said coach Buchel.

In the beginning of the first quarter, the Cougars took command of the game with a quick 2-0 lead. It was senior Molly Quinn that put the Lady Dons first goal on the board in the later minutes of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Cougars scored another goal that was quickly answered back by Quinn, who capitalized on a man-up opportunity, which is one aspect of the game that coach Buchel said they would need to dominate in if they wished to win the game.
“Tomorrow against Campo, I think we’ll have a lot of six-on-five opportunities, and if we do win that game, it’s going to be because we finished better then we have been doing in the past.” said Buchel.

Unfortunately for the Lady Dons, the Cougars regained their two goal lead as quickly as Quinn had taken it from them and heading into half time the Dons were down 4-2.

Coming out of their half-time talk, the Lady Dons seemed ready to play and junior Megan Dietrich scored twice on the Campolindo goalie, who had been dominant throughout most of the game. While the Lady Dons looked good offensively, they also let in the same amount of goals that they scored, keeping them at a two goal deficit leaving the game at 6-4 in Campolindo’s favor moving into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, the Lady Dons appeared to lose some of their fire, and before they knew it the Cougars had jumped ahead by six goals that were scored through their hole set, and a few mental lapses by the Lady Dons.

In the closing seconds of the game, sophomore Chase Lanier got an advantage on a counter attack and scored, putting the Lady Dons five goals behind the Cougars. The game finished out with a score of Campolindo 10 Acalanes 5.

Even though it is a tough time in the season to take a loss to their rivals, the Lady Dons aren’t going to dwell on it and are looking forward into the most important tournament of the year in November, NCS.

“Even though these rival games may label us going into NCS, it is really the games in November that will count.” said Senior Kate Avery.

-Blueprint Staff Writer Tommy Bush

In yesterdays action…
The boys water polo team defeated Campolindo HS 15-11 to remain undefeated in the DFAL.
The girls water polo team was defeated by Campolindo HS.
The girls tennis team defeated Berean Christian HS 6-3.
The girls golf team defeated Dougherty Valley HS 248-165 to raise their record to 9-3.

In todays action…
The girls volleyball team hosts Las Lomas HS.  Freshmen at 4:00, jv at 5:00, and varsity at 6:30.
The girls tennis team hosts Dougherty Valley HS at 3:30.  The jv team is away.
The freshman football team plays at Alhambra HS at 5:00.

Yesterdays individual standouts…
Acalanes Boys water polo – Tanner Cullen scored 7 goals, and Connor Reid and Andrew Schnugg each scored 3 goals. Tucker Stone had 7 saves.
Acalanes Girls water polo – Molly Quinn and Megan Dietrich each scored 2 goals, and Katie Ramm had 4 saves.
Acalanes Girls tennis – Tessa Karagocev, Grace Chow, and Tara Barabi won singles matches. Rachel Bauer & Connie Chen, Alice Bishop & Julie Zucker, and Jenny Yang & Amy Liu won doubles matches.
Acalanes Girls golf – Elizabeth Schultz shot a 37, Adrienne Lee 41, and Lauren Kim 45 on a 9-hole par 36 course.

R. Takahashi

In yesterdays action…
The boys water polo team defeated Dougherty Valley HS 19-1 to remain undefeated in the DFAL, and raising their overall record to 12-3.
The girls water polo team defeated Dougherty Valley HS 18-1 to remain undefeated in the DFAL, and raising their overall record to 11-3.
The girls golf team defeated Dougherty Valley HS 246-267 to raise their DFAL record to 7-3.

In todays action…
The football team hosts Campolindo HS.  JV at 4:30, varsity at 7:00.
The girls volleyball team plays at Miramonte HS.  Freshmen at 4:00, jv at 5:00, varsity at 6:30.
The girls tennis team hosts Las Lomas HS at 3:30.
The girls golf team has a match against Miramonte HS at Orinda CC at 3:30.

Yesterdays individual standouts…
Boys water polo – Nathaniel Whitmore, Jacob Welcomer, and Wyatt Goertler each scored 4 goals, Jack Hillman 3 goals, and Andrew Forbes 2 goals.

Girls water polo – Alyssa Mueller scored 3 goals, Caroline Newman, Emma Gaffney, Sami Sciacqua, and Chase Lanier each scored 2 goals. Megan Mes and Whitney Hickock each had 4 saves.

Girls golf – Elizabeth Schultz shot a 40, and Lauren Kim 45 over a 9-hole course.

R. Takahashi

In Fridays action…
The girls water polo team defeated Sir Francis Drake HS 9-2 to raise their overall record to 10-3.
The football team was defeated by Miramonte HS.  The jv team won.

Individual standouts…
Girls water polo Megan Dietrich scored 4 goals, and Molly Dietrich scored 2 goals.
Megan Mes and Katie Ramm each had 6 saves.
Football             Carson Gardner had 150 rushing yards on 24 carries, and scored 2 both touchdowns.

R. Takahashi

In yesterdays action…
The boys water polo team defeated Alhambra HS 18-11, with a strong 2^nd half surge.
The girls water polo team overwhelmed Alhambra HS 14-2.  The jv team matched that effort with a 15-3 victory.
The girls golf team defeated Campolindo HS 245-258, and Las Lomas HS 245-311.

Individual standouts…

Boys water polo Tanner Cullen scored 8 goals, and Connor Reid, Jacob Welcomer, and Tommy Bush each scored 2 goals. Tucker Stone had 6 saves.
Girls golf           Elizabeth Schultz shot a 39, and Adrienne Lee 40 on a 9-hole par 36 course.

In todays action…
The girls volleyball team hosts Alhambra HS.  Freshmen at 4:00, JV at 5:00, Varsity at 6:30.
The girls tennis team has a match at Miramonte HS at 3:30.
The jv girls golf team has a match against Campolindo HS at Moraga CC at 3:00.
The freshman football team hosts Miramonte HS at 5:00.

R. Takahashi

Lady Dons Earn Bronze in Acalanes Invitational Ladies Varsity Water Polo.

Acalanes hosted the annual Acalanes Invitational women’s Water Polo tournament on September 9 and 10th. The tournament featured an array of teams representing multiple athletic leagues and both the North Coast and Central Coast sections.

The Lady Dons drew a large crowd for their first game of the tournament which, for the first time ever, was held during lunch. Acalanes handled the game of the tournament with relative ease as the team defeated Foothill High School 16-3 .

Acalanes carried the energy from their first game into their next match up against reigning Division I North Coast Section Champions, the Monte Vista Mustangs. Through four quarters of intense play, the Lady Dons were able to squeeze out a 5-4 upset over last years top team in the North Coast Section.

With another win under their belt, the Lady Dons advanced to the semi-finals to face their rivals the Campolindo Cougars. The Dons played a heated and exciting match against the Cougars in last year’s Division II North Coast Section finals but were edged out 8-5 and earned the silver medal.

As pumped up as the Lady Dons were going into the game, they were at a clear disadvantage seeing that one of their top players, senior Barbara Lanier, was out with an injured shoulder. Lanier is regarded as one of the premier players in the North Coast Section, and her loss cleary hindered the Lady Dons’ performance.

In the first quarter, the Dons were able to hang with the Cougars but finished down 3-1 in the Cougar’s favor. Through strong offensive play, led by senior Molly Quinn who scored two goals and earned two ejections, and a good team defense, led by senior Lizzie Newman, the Dons were able cut the lead to 4-2 at half time.

In the third quarter, the Dons began to break apart at the seams. After a series of questionable calls made by the referees, head coach Misha Buchel yelled out in protest and earned a red card, requiring him to leave the pool deck. Campolindo took control of the rest of the game and ultimately beat Acalanes 9-4 to advance to the tournament championship.

Even though the Lady Dons’ hope for gold in the tournament was over, they still had another game to play for third place. At 2:30 in the afternoon on Saturday, September 10, the Lady Dons played Los Altos Eagles for the third place finish.

The Dons came out of the gate fast in the first quarter, lead once again by Quinn who drew two ejections and a five meter penalty shot. At the end of the first quarter of play, the Dons led Los Altos 2-1 and were able to hold their one goal lead throughout the second quarter, complemented by phenomenal defense from Newman and a goal by Senior Sam Sciacqua. The Lady Dons led 3-2 at half time.

The game was up for grabs going into the fourth quarter with the score tied at 3. Neither team took advantage of their offensive opportunities until the final two seconds of the game. Junior Megan Deitrich caught the ball and fired a shot into the back of the net, giving the Dons a 4-3 victory.

The Lady Dons earned the the bronze medal despite battling injuries of key players. All in all, the Invitational was a success for the team and the entire Lady Dons water polo program.

-Tommy Bush Blueprint Staff Writer

 Photo: Doug Kohen

Please click on the FORMS button ABOVE to fill out and submit athletic clearance forms through the Acalanes High School District website. The website will direct you through the entire process.
• You must print the Athletic Clearance Form.
• You must print one Online Registration Sports Summary Page for each sport of participation.
• Note: If this is the second or third sport, only the Online Registration Sports Summary Page must be submitted.

The girls water polo game is scheduled for 3:45 on Saturday, at Redwood High School in Marin against Miramonte. 

K. Stewart

Today, the #4 seeded girls water polo team plays #11 Piedmont HS at Miramonte HS at 7:30 in the first round of the NCS playoffs.

R. Takahashi

Varsity girls played a very competitive well-fought match against Campo.  Lost 6-4. Scoring for the Dons were Dietrich 2 goals, Quinn 1 goal and Lanier with 1 5-meter shot.

A. Quinn

10/2  Varsity played against Marin Catholic, beating them with a final score of 6-2. Scoring for the Dons were Dietrich with 3, Lanier with 2 and Quinn with 1. 
 A. Quinn

The varsity girls took on a tough competitive game against Carondolet and came out on top winning 6-5. Scoring for the Dons were Dietrich and Lanier with 2 each, Reid and Stewart with 1 each. Steals were the news of the game with Dietrich 3 and Quinn, Reid, Burgin, Lanier and Newman 2 each. Quinn also drew 2 forced 5 meter shots, both which netted goals for the Dons.

A. Quinn

Acalanes Girls’ JV Waterpolo now has a 6-0 season record with a 15 – 2 win over Amador Valley:

Scoring for the Dons were:  Chase Lanier - 4, Maggie Chan – 4, Addie Mullins – 2, Katie Greer – 2, Emma Gaffney – 1, Maddie Myall – 2.
Assists:  Chase Lanier – 3, Carrie Goodman – 1, Chloe Landry – 1, Riley Caldwell – 1.
Blocked Shots:  Maddie Myall – 5, Brooke Metro – 2.

M. Cardoza

Acalanes Girls’ JV Waterpolo now has a 6-0 season record with a 15 – 2 win
over Amador Valley:
Scoring for the Dons were:  Chase Lanier – 4, Maggie Chan – 4, Addie
Mullins – 2, Katie Greer – 2, Emma Gaffney – 1, Maddie Myall – 2.
Assists:  Chase Lanier – 3, Carrie Goodman – 1, Chloe Landry – 1, Riley
Caldwell – 1.
Blocked Shots:  Maddie Myall – 5, Brooke Metro – 2.
M. Cardoza

Don=E2=80=99s Girls=E2=80=99 JV and Frosh-Soph Waterpolo had a very =
successful run at the Acalanes Invitational with the JV winning and the =
Frosh/Soph coming in 7th ; losing only one game =E2=80=93 a 6-7 nail =
biter against Monte Vista!

JV Recap:
4-0 for the tournament and 5-0 for the season.
v. Miramonte:  19 – 4
v. San Ramon: 15 -2=20
v. Drake: 12 =E2=80=93 2
v. Las Lomas: 15 – 3

Combined tournament scoring for the Dons:
Chase Lanier =E2=80=93 20 goals; Maggie Chan =E2=80=93 11 goals; Kathryn =
Hill =E2=80=93 10 goals; Meghan Hill =E2=80=93 6 goals; Nora Vance =
=E2=80=93 5 goals; Sydney Dunne =E2=80=93 3 goals; Morgan McQuain and =
Addie Mullins =E2=80=93 2 goals each; Courtney Worthing =E2=80=93 1 =
goal.  Goalie Maddie Myall contributed 18 saves.

Frosh-Soph Recap
3-1 for the tournament and the season.
v. Monte Vista: 6 – 7=20
v. Amador Valley: 13 – 0
v. California: 9 – 0
v. Carondolet 11 – 1

Combined tournament scoring for the Dons:
Emma Gaffney and Carrie Goodman – 9 goals each; Riley Caldwell and =
Reilly Fellner -  6 goals each; Katie Greer – 5 goals; Grace Francis and =
Chloe Landry - 2 goals each.  Goalie Brooke Metro contributed 12 saves.

M. Cardoza