Return of elite athletes after competing for U.S. women’s national water polo team bolsters several lineups ahead of Newport Invite

The lineups of several of the elite girls water polo teams in Southern California will receive a boost just in time for the last significant tournament during the regular season, as several members of the U.S. women’s national team roster are expected to return to competition at the Newport Invite, scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Santa Ana Foothill High.

Newport Harbor High is still undergoing construction at its home facility, resulting in the eight-team event being showcased at Foothill, which is also the two-time defending tournament champion.

Newport Harbor defeated Foothill in the inaugural tournament championship match in 2022.

Foothill and Newport Harbor are in the same group as Orange Lutheran, winner of the past two CIF Southern Section Open Division crowns, in addition to The Bishop’s School of La Jolla.

Mater Dei, which has won the Bill Barnett Holiday Cup and Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions titles this season, is paired with San Marcos, Oaks Christian and Laguna Beach.

Pool-play contests are scheduled for Thursday and Friday, with the semifinals at 9 a.m. and 10:05 a.m. PST Saturday, followed by the final at 2:25 p.m., all taking place at Foothill.

Mater Dei girls water polo team | Photo courtesy of Mater Dei

Mater Dei has the opportunity to become the first program to win the Bill Barnett Holiday Cup, Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions and Newport Invite in the same season.

Orange Lutheran won the first two events last year, but competed in the SoCal Tournament at Corona del Mar instead of the Newport Invite last season.

Mater Dei had Maggie Ryan, Orange Lutheran was represented by Allison Cohen and Jailynn Robinson, with San Marcos showcasing Lucy Haaland-Ford and Charlotte Raisin competing for the U.S. national team Jan. 14-19 in the Women’s World Cup Division 1 Tournament in Greece, a qualifier for the Water Polo World Cup Super Final in April at a site still to be determined.

Maggie Ryan of Mater Dei and U.S. national team | Photo courtesy of Marilia Vasilakopoulou

The Americans won only one of six matches, with Cohen, Haaland-Ford, Raisin and Ryan all contributing goals during the event.

Natalia Szczerba, who led Sacred Heart Prep to the Central Coast Section Open Division title and Northern California Division 1 regional championship in November, was also part of the U.S. national team roster, along with Lily Palma from Las Lomas and Chrissy Flynn of Leland.

Mater Dei (15-2) has won twice each this season against Orange Lutheran and The Bishop’s School, has split a pair of matchups against Newport Harbor and prevailed in two of three contests against San Marcos.

Orange Lutheran (16-2) has secured victories against Newport Harbor, San Marcos, Oaks Christian and The Bishop’s School.

Newport Harbor (17-3) has earned a pair of wins against San Marcos and split with Oaks Christian.

Foothill (10-8) has triumphed against Laguna Beach, but has endured a combined six losses against the rest of the field.