It’s been roughly a year and a half since the Paly varsity boys water polo has organized practice or played a game, but the boys are finally ready to get back into action. In 2019 the Vikings failed to defend their title as CCS champions, and despite the long break due to COVID, the team is still hungry to show the league who the best team is.

The water polo season this year is eight weeks long and includes no postseason, meaning that the championship is decided solely by the regular-season games. Led by senior captains Luke Thieman, Siddhartha Sahasrabuddhe and Loic Ijzerman, the boys are well poised to have a great season.

“We want to restore our place as the best team in the league,” Ijzerman said.

Coach Ethan Look is returning for his third season and is joined by assistant coach Javid Alasti (‘19). Alasti played under Look in the boys’ 2018 season, where they won the CCS championship.

“Hopefully this season and our practices can provide the boys with a break from online school, giving them something to look forward to every day,” Look said.

The boys’ first competition is a scrimmage on April 15 against Woodside.