Just a sophomore, Lilyanna Madrigal filled a starring role on Central Valley’s inaugural girls water polo team.

Madrigal and Ceres High’s Jessie Blevins and Layla Abraham earned honorable-mention accolades during the Western Athletic Conference’s year-end head coaches’ meeting at Beyer.

“We really gave her (Madrigal) a chance to shine,” Hawks’ leader Kayla Himmist said. “She’s a great scorer. She couldn’t have done it without her fellow teammates. Audrey (Rhinehart) and Natalie (Southavongsa) were very crucial.”

Madrigal was Central Valley’s top player on offense.

“It’s always a surprise when such a young athlete takes control of the field,” Himmist said. “She had no water polo experience. She knew how to swim.”

“Lily’s a very athletic person,” she added. “She’s very versatile. She’s not afraid when things are intense. No matter the situation, she steps up.”

Madrigal led the Hawks in scoring while starring at hole set.

“Next year, she’ll beat her record if she slows down a little bit,” Himmist said. 

Madrigal shared co-captain responsibilities with Madyson Daniels.

The honor was chosen by Hawk teammates.

“She’s a great leader for the team,” Himmist said. “She never complained. That girl is dedicated beyond belief. Some days, she doesn’t leave (campus) until 8 or 9 at night. She’s part of leadership. She gives her all for everything.”

Madrigal scored 16 goals in a pair of losses to crosstown-rival Ceres High.

“We could always count on her to make goals,” Himmist said. “She’s good with pressure.”

Blevins and Abraham shared the responsibility of being team captains.

“They’re both interchangeable,” Ceres High leader Stephen Dias said. “They both have really good endurance.”

Abraham, a senior, led the team in scoring while splitting playing time in the hole set with Blevins.

She also contributed on defense.

“I’m super proud of Layla,” Dias said. “She stepped up and became a leader. She was consistently there. She held the team together when it needed to be held together. She knows how to direct her teammates. She had a voice. She wasn’t quiet. That was fun to watch.”

Abraham scored the majority of her goals on fastbreaks.

“She focused on counters,” Dias said. 

Blevins, a junior, starred on defense.

She also logged playing time at hole-set on offense.

Blevins was selected to the WAC Second Team as a freshman and an honorable-mention selection sophomore year.

“Jessie was our Most Valuable Player,” Dias said. “She controls the game. She’s strong on both offense and defense. She has a strong presence with her teammates.”

The Bulldogs and Hawks finished fifth and last, respectively, with 3-9 and 0-12 records.

Central Valley showed improvement during its first season of water polo.

‘We have so many good players that fly under the radar,” Himmist said. “I’m excited to see what they can do now that they have a year under their belt.”