Hood River Valley girls place fourth in state water polo tourney

HOOD RIVER — The Hood River Valley High (HRV) Eagle Class 5A girls water polo team concluded its season by taking fourth place in the state tournament Nov. 14-15 at the Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center in Beaverton.

After winning three straight state championships and losing several graduated seniors a year ago, it was a rebuilding season for Coach Kellie Dunn’s squad, which concluded the year with a 6-23 record.

“The team played an incredibly difficult schedule with games that had us competing against top 6A teams regularly,” said Dunn. “While these games really helped push our team, it does tend to lend to a record that looks much worse than the season actually was. With the 5A teams spread so far out geographically, we play the 6A schools on a very regular basis to keep in game shape and hone our skills.”

The Eagles faced the No. 1-ranked and 2025 state champion Summit Storm (17-5) in a Nov. 14 semifinal and lost, 10-4. The Eagles had lost a North Division League game, 21-2, versus Summit on Oct. 11 in Bend and they played a much more competitive contest at state against the Storm.

Senior Sophie Helleberg led the Eagles in scoring with two goals, and senior Meg Donnelly and Kaie Karaszewski each scored a goal. Goalkeeper Abby Piatt had 12 saves. Junior Nyxey Heredia Merida and freshman Grace Roulette each had two steals. Piatt, Delaney Hackett and Luca Montague had one steal apiece.

“We’ve been building momentum and finding our rhythm as a fairly young team (seven sophomores, four freshmen), so we approached the game with a new defense and a different mindset,” said Dunn. “The results really speak for themselves as it shows how dramatically the team has improved in the last month. Our defense looked strong, and we really worked as a team to stop the unrelenting attack that Summit is known for. I am so proud of the fight they put up against the team that won the state championship.”

In Saturday’s third/fourth place contest, the Eagles faced the No. 2-ranked Bend High Lava Bears (13-11) and they played well in a close matchup, before losing 12-6 to conclude the season.

Freshman Layla Williams and Donnelly led the Eagles in scoring with two goals. Clementine VanDehey and Heredia Merida both scored a goal, and Piatt had 10 saves. Piatt (two steals, two assists), Heredia Merida (one assist), Roulette (assist) and Hackett each had steals.

“Bend really came out ready to prove themselves after a semifinal loss to Hillsboro on Friday and we just never got into the rhythm that we needed to stop them,” said Dunn. “We played a really solid game overall, but our shots just weren’t going in. It’s always hard to end the season on a loss. We are keeping this in perspective of how far the team has come this season and we still feel good about where we finished. We had a goal of going to the state tournament and we did that. We also played great water polo against some really good teams.”

Saturday’s contest versus Bend marked the conclusion of the HRV careers of seniors Vandehey, Donnelly, Hackett, Sophie Helleberg and Lucy Taylor.

“I am so grateful to the group of seniors that we had this year,” said Dunn. “They’ve been with us through so much, and as three-time state champions (2022-2024), they have so much knowledge and maturity that they brought to our team. They provided incredible leadership all season and mentored our underclassmen in a way that will really set them up for future success. It’s hard to end your senior season after winning three titles, but put so much of their hearts and souls into our program and they have left a good mark on our program.”

Three Eagle players earned all-state awards, including Heredia Merida (first team) and Williams (second team). Piatt was selected for an honorable mention award. Piatt (honorable mention), Heredia (first team) and Williams (second team) also received Mt. Hood League all-league awards. Helleberg and Hacket received Mt. Hood League honorable mention awards.

“Our players returning next year are so motivated to come back and win the state tournament in 2026,” said Dunn. “With just five seniors and one junior, we will have a young squad, and they really are going to be a serious force in Oregon water polo for the next few years.”