Two local prep water polo players have been named by USA Water Polo to the Women’s Youth National Team for the UANA Youth Pan American Games in Trinidad & Tobago.
Cassidy Miller of San Marcos and Abigail Hendrix of Santa Barbara High are on the 13-member roster for the competition in Couva, Trinidad & Tobago that runs from Aug. 16-23. They are both seniors.
The U.S. Women’s Youth National Team is coached by Laguna Beach’s Ethan Damato, assisted by UCSB women’s coach Serela Kay along with Andrew Silva and Taylor Dodson.
No local players were selected to the Men’s Youth National Team. Former UCSB player Ross Sinclair is an assistant coach.
The Team USA women open the competition against Peru on Friday, Aug. 16, plays Trinidad & Tobago on Saturday, Brazil on Sunday, Argentina on Monday, Aug. 19 and completes group play against Canada on Tuesday, Aug. 20. The quarterfinals and semifinals are Aug. 21 and 22 and the championship is on Aug. 23.
The tournament is being held at the National Aquatic Centre in Couva.
Women’s Youth National Team Roster
Alexis Stahl Goalie (Timberwolves Water Polo Club/Central California Zone)
Cassidy Miller Utility (Santa Barbara 805/Coastal California Zone)
Abigail Hendrix Center Defender (Santa Barbara 805/Coastal California Zone)
Christina Hicks Center(Diablo Alliance Water Polo/Hawaii Zone)
Kayla Yelensky Utility (Greenwich Aquatics/Northeast Zone)
Jenna Flynn Attacker (680 Water Polo/Pacific Zone)
Maya Avital Goalie (CDM Aquatics Federation/Southern Pacific Zone)
Emily Ausmus Attacker (SOCAL Water Polo Foundation/Southern Pacific Zone)
Maryn Dempsey Utility (SOCAL Water Polo Foundation/Southern Pacific Zone)
Isabela Gazzaniga Center (North Irvine Water Polo Club/Southern Pacific Zone)
Emma Lineback Utility (Saddleback El Toro (SET)/Southern Pacific Zone)
Grace Myers Attacker (CDM Aquatics Federation/Southern Pacific Zone)
Malia Allen Center (SOCAL Water Polo Foundation/Southern Pacific Zone)
Head Coach Ethan Damato
Asst Coach Serela Kay
Asst Coach Andrew Silva
Asst Coach/Manager Taylor Dodson
— Noozhawk Sports Editor Barry Punzal can be reached at bpunzal@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.