After having a successful run at the Jenison tournament, the girls varsity water polo team’s success did not just stop there. On Thursday, March 28, the girls played Grandville and won 13-10. This is their second time this season beating them.

After the team’s win against Grandville, they were ranked tenth in the state! This is a momentous achievement as this is the first time in history that a Forest Hills water polo team has been ranked on the state level.

“Personally, this win was a confidence boost after we lost the Hudsonville and Jenison games. The [Grandville] game boosted the team’s morale as it showed us that we have the ability to win– and we will keep winning. It also proved to us that we are becoming a team, rather than several individuals on one team,” junior Olivia Oorbeck said.

During the game, Sydney VanLente scored multiple points but one that stood out was a five-meter, which is a type of penalty shot. Another player who stood out was Olivia Oorbeck; although she did not score, she had a multitude of steals that turned over the ball in FH’s possession. Along with Oorbeck, Ashley Schenck had a ton of steals as well which led the team to success. This game was different for the girls because they had to tread water very differently due to how shallow the pool was in some areas. Usually, the pool is six feet deep, but one side was shallower than the other at Grandville’s aquatic center. The shallow pool affected the goalie, senior Sydney Bacon, more as she was able to jump off of the bottom and the goal was bigger, which Sydney was not used to.

Overall, this game was a good win despite the roller coaster of events. It was a perfect way to pause the water polo season before spring break. When you return from your travels, be sure to make it out to support the water polo team on April 11, at the FH Aquatic Center, at 7 P.M.!