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NEWPORT BEACH — Just call it the Orange Lutheran way, and know it’s been untouchable for a while.
The Lancers’ girls water polo team again displayed its up-tempo style of offense and defense on Friday to extend a long winning streak on the opening day of the Bill Barnett Holiday Cup.
Top-ranked Orange Lutheran raced past host Corona del Mar 13-6 in the quarterfinals to push its winning streak to 38 matches.
Coming off an undefeated season in 2023-24, the Lancers (7-0) applied enough pressure and received enough saves from goalie Kyla Pranajaya (nine) to feed a counterattack that secured an 8-3 lead at halftime against the Sea Kings (9-1).
Seven of Orange Lutheran’s eight goals came moments after steals, saves or turnovers. Most were on high-percentage shots after quick reads.
“OLu is the best out there right now,” Corona del Mar coach Marc Hunt said of the two-time defending CIF-SS Open Division champion. “They play like an experienced group.”
“They do a great job putting pressure on the ball,” Hunt added. “At every spoke (on defense), they’re making a great move on (the ball), a play on it. They’re affecting that situation, and I think that makes them unique.”
Orange Lutheran twice executed a swift counterattack with a nearly length of the pool pass from its goalie.
Late in the third period, Pranajaya launched an outlet that connected with teammate Allison Cohen just in front of the Corona del Mar cage. Cohen, a member of the U.S. national team, quickly passed to the short wing for Estelle Karaba, who scored for a 10-3 lead.
In the fourth quarter, backup goalie Eden Staley executed another long outlet that led to a similar goal. The sophomore connected with Karaba, who dished to Ella Treglia for a goal.
“They know we’re OK with those passes,” third-year Orange Lutheran coach Brenda Villa said of her goalies. “You hope there’s no drop off (with the reserves) and you hope you’re giving people the same opportunities and coaching.”
“It’s (about) what (type of personnel) you have and what you can continue to do,” the Olympic gold medalist added. “Some of my stuff is national team stuff and some of it is not. (There’s) freedom to play within a system.”
In advancing to Saturday’s 10:40 a.m. semifinal against Mater Dei, first-year starting center Liz Nicoloff and Karaba led Orange Lutheran with three goals apiece. Cohen and Jailynn Robinson combined for five assists while Eve Webb added four steals.
Freshman center Camryn Spruill scored twice and goalie Gabby MacAfee made five saves to lead Corona del Mar.
In another quarterfinal, Mater Dei (5-1) defeated San Marcos 10-4 behind 11 saves by goalie Sienna Sorensen. The junior blocked a penalty in the third period.
Mater Dei’s Kirra Panteleon, a transfer from Foothill, scored a team-high three goals in her second match since becoming eligible.
Newport Harbor faces No. 2 seed Oaks Christian in the 11:45 a.m. semifinal.
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