The men’s and women’s water polo seasons wrapped up with Coast Conference Championships in early November, with the men playing at Ohlone College at the women playing at De Anza.

The men played against Solano College Nov. 4, winning 16-6. Their next matchup was against Cabrillo College, a team that had twice during the season beaten the Dons by a one-point margin. The trend continued and the Dons lost to the Seahawks a third time, by the same margin.

Coach Danielle Altman Von Matt said that match may have been the turning point for making NorCal Championships for the men’s team.

The women played at De Anza Nov. 5, against both College of San Mateo and Laney College. The match against Laney College yielded the first win of the season for the women’s team, with a score of 5-2, and an overall seventh place finish for the season.

Coach Von Matt, along with Coach Kevin Paulsen, a 2001 NCAA All-American and Western Water Polo Association MVP while goaltending at Loyola Marymount University, will now look towards next season, and recruiting individuals from local schools for the water polo program. Von Matt said the goal is to make a name for the school in the pool, to become “the next team to beat.”

Von Matt said if pool construction during winter quarter is completed on time, De Anza is slated to host the NorCal and State championships in the fall of next year.

“A great opportunity to showcase our school and facilities,” Von Matt said.

With the completion of water polo, many players will make their way over to the swimming and diving team, with approximately 75 percent spilling over.

Swimming and diving action start Feb. 12 at West Valley College. For more information about water polo and swimming/diving, go to http://www.deanza.edu/athletics.