This year’s Rams women’s water polo team’s regular season is over after finishing in fifth place in the Big 8 conference. Their goal of making it to the Northern California Championships is still in tact.

“We’re at the end of our season and gearing up for our conference tournament,” said Head Coach Gianna Rossi. “It should be exciting because this a rematch with Sierra, a team we played on Oct. 22 and went into overtime with.”

They are trying to repeat that feat this year. They start their quest with the Big 8 Championship on Nov. 6-7 at American River College in Sacramento.

Sophomore team captain Saylene Servin’s experience she brings to the pool has been invaluable as she helps eight freshmen adjust to college water polo.

“They’ve adapted pretty well; they look up to us,” Servin said. “You work hard to get to this level and it feels good to share my experience with them.”

The team is so young, yet plays with confidence and poise beyond their years.

“With the talent we have this year, this team can go to NorCal,” Servin said.

This year’s team is led by freshman Kallee Olivas, who is top 15 in the conference in goals and second in goals scored per game.

“It’s a lot different [playing college water polo], playing with a group of new girls and a much different and faster pace for sure,” Olivas said. “Since Coach Rossi is experienced at the sports she’s taught us so much and pushes us to work harder.”

With players like Olivas and teammate, another freshman, Ashley Gibbs (second on the team with 28 goals), the sky’s the limit for the Rams.

Olivas said, “I feel like if we play to our potential we can go far.”