What’s the key to a successful athletics team? The 2025-2026 Agoura Girls Varsity Water Polo season was, without a doubt, one of the most successful seasons in program history. Even with only three seniors on the roster, the Chargers still managed to finish 2nd with a 6-2 record in the competitive Marmonte League to secure a spot at the CIF Division 1 Southern Section playoffs. They then battled their way to the semi-finals, ultimately losing 9-13 to the San Clemente Tritons in a hard-fought matchup.
The CIF Southern Section is known to comprise some of the best girls’ water polo programs in the nation. So, how did such a young team dominate one of the most elite levels of Californian high school water polo? To us at the Charger Post, this success comes at no surprise after we had the incredible opportunity to interview team captain Kira Ciccarello, a four-year program veteran and one of three seniors who helped to lead the Chargers all the way to the playoffs.
What were your thoughts on your final season at Agoura?
“I thought we had a great season. Our team was really young, so it was really, really awesome that we all came together so well. A lot of them had played club [water polo] together, and we merged really well. We played and worked incredibly hard, especially toward the end of our season.”
Any favorite memories with the Agoura Water Polo Program?
“Probably our team trip to Hawaii my sophomore year, that was really fun. From this season, my favorite memory was just getting to meet all the new girls at the beginning of the year because I wasn’t there over the summer.”
You made it all the way to CIF-SS Division 1 Semifinals! What do you think makes the Agoura Girls Water Polo program so successful?
“I think that the Agoura Girls Water Polo team works incredibly hard. We work so hard, we have practice six days a week for like three hours [a day], we do morning weight room, we do game film, we put so much effort in, and most of the girls play club [water polo] in the off-seasons. Literally, the only off-season that they have is the month of August. All of us also do swim season, which keeps us in good condition. Yeah, we’re just all really committed to this sport.”
We can tell by the season record that this team has some great chemistry. Do you have any team traditions that helped build this bond?
“Snacks! We all love snacks. We would all bring snacks in the back [of the team van] and feast on them. Another team tradition I think [helped to build this bond] was the older kids mentoring the younger kids. Not always in terms of the game, but also in terms of hanging out and driving them around. I think that helped to keep our team dynamics good.”
If you could describe this season in one word, what would it be?
“Monumental.”
The Agoura Girls Water Polo program’s phenomenal outcomes this season prove that seniority isn’t always the pathway to success in high school athletics. Team victories are the result of relentless dedication, leadership, teamwork, effort, and above all, friendship. While this season may be over now, the team’s momentum is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. With much of the roster returning for the upcoming season and strong leadership setting the standard for team expectations, the future of this talented program is looking brighter than ever.
