Daily Journal's Girls’ Water Polo Player of the Year: Sacred Heart Prep’s Natalia Szczerba

This year, however, the Gators reestablished themselves as one of the premiere programs in Northern California, winning the CCS Open Division title and before falling in the Northern California Open Division semifinals. Not only did they compile a record of 25-4 and beat the top teams in CCS, the Gators posted victories over the likes of Acalanes-Lafayette, Carondelet-Concord, and Davis — three of the top programs in Northern California.

Natalia Szczerba was key factor in SHP’s resurgence this season. The Gators’ offense ran through the junior utility player. Not only did she lead the team in scoring, she served as team’s point guard as well, was a defensive stalwart and brought the intangibles all winning teams need.

As such, she is being named the San Mateo Daily Journal’s Girls’ Water Polo Player of the Year.

“Coming in, we were a bit of a younger team. We knew we had a lot of talent,” said SHP head coach Jamie Frank. “Natalia was one constant. … There were stretches this season where there was no one better in Northern California (than our team).”

Szczerba already possesses one of the hardest shots in the CCS. The fact that she’s left-handed makes her even more special. Frank said lefty polo players are few and far between, so it’s simply not common for defenses to know how to react. Being a southpaw also opens up more shooting lanes and shooting angles that right handers don’t have.

Add it all together and it equalled a team-leading 76 goals for Szczerba this season.

“She has one of the best shots in the pool, regardless of her (dominant) arm. I would argue she’s one of the top three shooters in CCS. … You just don’t see so many big, dominant left-handed players who shoot the ball so well. It’s just a different look than what a lot of people present,” Frank said. “With a right-handed player, it’s more about creating for other, because the angle to score is smaller.”

But that’s where Szczerba excelled this season as her 44 assists was second on the team, behind Margaret Brandin’s 50. Her willingness to make the right play — whether it was shooting or passing – was Szczerba’s biggest concern.

“For me, my role was more to make sure the team was flowing properly,” Szczerba said. “One of my jobs is to make sure the passes are getting where they’re supposed to be. … My role was always changing, but no matter what it was, I was able to set up others for success.”

Additionally, Szczerba wants to be seen as a complete player and puts in as much work and effort on the defensive end, as well. She was one of five players with 30 or more steals, finishing with 32. She also was one of six Gators to draw 15 or more exclusions against the other team.

“Her defense was underrated this year,” Frank said. “Someone who is that prolific a scorer, she showed she can do it at both sides of the pool.”

Said Szczerba: “I wasn’t (just about) having a career high in scoring. Hopefully I brought some energy defensively (as well).”

But Frank said some of Szczerba’s biggest contributions came out of the water. Her experience playing for the Stanford club program and playing with and against national team players, Frank said it wasn’t uncommon for Szczerba to offer scouting reports on opponents. He said he asked a lot of her this season, both as a player and a leader, but Szczerba said she didn’t feel any extra pressure.

“Coach Frank knows that whatever he asks someone to do, he knows they’re very capable (of doing it),” Szczerba said. “I really felt like I didn’t have that much more responsibility.”

Added Frank: “She really helps our team click at a level as high as we are.”

While individual accolades are great, Szczerba is more concerned about how the team does, as whole. She’s aware of the Gators’ history in CCS and the championships won. But she is also aware that every year is a new season and just because a team did something previously, does not automatically mean that will be repeated. So she has come to relish the Gators’ accomplishments this season.

“I think we’ve always been one of the top teams in CCS. The past few years, we’ve just been outplayed (in the CCS tournament),” Szczerba said. “There are expectations being at Sacred Heart, but [coach Frank] reminds us that each step we get to is a big step.

“It’s a completely brand-new team (every year) and we have to pave the way for ourselves. … While some may focus on what we didn’t accomplish, we accomplished so much this season.

“Beside a few games, we were one of the top teams and I’m really proud of that.”