The Hoover girls’ water polo team continued to make program history this season.

For the first time in the school’s history, the girls’ water polo team has advanced to the playoffs.

Hoover will host Warren on Thursday in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division IV playoffs.

Hoover enters the matchup with a 9–13 record as the fourth-seeded team from the Pacific League, while Warren holds a 9–8 record and is the third seed from the Gateway League.

Hoover Coach Domenico Ponziano has played a key role in inspiring his team throughout the season.

“I played water polo for about 13 years, and I have a lot of knowledge of the sport that the team is eager to learn and absorb,” he said. “I’m incredibly proud of my team and the group we were able to build this season. They truly shined this year.”

One of Hoover’s most significant victories came on December 15, when the Tornados defeated CV for the first time in program history, earning a 6–4 win at home.

“It feels great going into CIF,” said senior co-captain Candela Roman Capdevila. “I think it demonstrates how we’re breaking the stereotypes of Hoover being the underdogs. We’ve been working really hard and have managed to come out on top.”

The winner of the Hoover-Warren matchup will face the winner of the Ramona-Montclair game in the second round on Tuesday.

Senior co-captain Kuvira Kapoor shared insight into the team’s mindset heading into Thursday’s game.

“Going into CIF is already such a great accomplishment in itself,” Kapoor said. “I know our entire team is really proud of ourselves, and that’s going to help us stay in the right mindset for our upcoming game. Hopefully, we win.”