Birmingham wins fifth L.A. City Section girls water polo title, first in Open Division by defeating reigning champion Palisades; Granada Hills grabs first Division 1 crown

Although Palisades had already won three L.A. City Section girls water polo championships, including the inaugural Open Division crown last year, returning to the final this season might be recognized as the most inspiring achievement in Dolphins’ program history.

After having their season interrupted for several weeks as a result of the Palisades Fire, causing the Dolphins to go more than one month in between playing matches, the team was able to battle through the adversity and regroup in order to earn the No. 3 seed in the Open Division and advance to the championship to square off for the sixth year in a row with rival Birmingham.

Unfortunately for Palisades, the top-seeded Patriots arrived Wednesday night at the Valley College pool with plenty of their own motivation, rebounding from last year’s loss to secure a 17-11 victory and the program’s first Open Division crown and fifth title overall.

Only Eagle Rock, which won four in a row from 2012-15 and has captured seven championships overall – including the Division 1 crown last year – has earned more City Section girls water polo titles than Birmingham.

The Patriots (18-9), who didn’t lose to a City Section opponent all season, also prevailed in the finals in 2010, 2016, 2020 and 2023, including a 19-11 victory against the Dolphins to secure the title two years ago.

Birmingham girls water polo team | Steve Galluzzo photo

Palisades (10-10), with championships in 2019, 2022 and last year, have split the past six finals showdowns against Birmingham, with the City Section not holding the playoffs in 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A three-goal run by the Patriots during a two-minute span late in the second quarter broke a 5-5 tie, contributing to a 9-6 halftime advantage for Birmingham.

The Patriots never relinquished control in the second half, scoring four of the first five goals in the third quarter and increasing the lead to 14-8 entering the fourth.

Jocelyn Cruz, a senior, scored a match-high six goals Wednesday for Birmingham, which atoned for a 15-11 setback against the Dolphins in last year’s Open Division final.

Catalina Moldonado, a senior, and junior Katherine Chajan both contributed five goals apiece for the Patriots, who also received eight saves from sophomore goalkeeper Hazel Portillo.

Michelle Ortiz, a sophomore, achieved the final goal for Birmingham with 2:25 left to extend the advantage to 17-9, before Palisades scored twice in the final minute.

Lilli Fox, a senior, and sophomore Bailey Gair both had four goals each, with senior goalkeeper Corinna Frankel recording six saves for the Dolphins, who were making their eighth consecutive appearance in a City Section final and the 11th overall for the program since 2013.

Paulina Garcia, Dylan Kuperberg and Kylie Lupescu also scored for Palisades, which surrendered its highest goal total to an opponent all season.

Granada Hills 13, Cleveland 7: The top-seeded Highlanders (10-1) produced their third victory this season against No. 2 Cleveland (7-11) in the Division 1 final at Valley College to capture the first City Section girls water polo championship in program history.

Granada Hills girls water polo team | Steve Galluzzo photo

Granada Hills also secured an 11-7 triumph Jan. 17 at Cleveland, in addition to a 19-7 win Feb. 5 against the Cavaliers.

Alexandra Bierman, a sophomore, had nine goals for Granada Hills, with twin sister Elizabeth Bierman recording 10 saves.

The Highlanders won their final six matches of the season, following a 15-4 setback Jan. 27 against eventual Open Division champion Birmingham (18-9).

Cleveland received four goals from freshman Paulina Banuelos Enriquez, in addition to eight saves by junior goalkeeper Chloe Sibanda-Baker.

The Cavaliers were making their first appearance in a City Section final since winning the championship in 2011. Cleveland also captured the inaugural City Section girls water polo crown in 2009.