2021 SOVA Tournament Schedule

Boys 18U, 16U, 14U – Girls 18U/16U

1st Tournament in just 3 weeks!

Check list for tournaments:

1. Current USA Water Polo, age verifed membership. (www.usawaterpolo.org)

2. Gold Membership for JO Qualifier Tournament and JO National Tournament

3. Summer Session Registration on www.sovawaterpolo.com

There are four weeks between the JO Qualifier Tournament and the JO National Championship Tournament.   We will attend the HALE SUMMER CHAMPIONSHIP July 9th, 10th & 11th in the Inland Empire, or we will attend the CENTRAL COAST SUMMER CLASSIC, July 9th, 10th & 11th in San Luis Obispo.  We will either find additional tournaments or schedule scrimmages with other clubs between the Qualifier Tournament and the National Tournament.

COED 14U Saturday Practice Time May 22nd & May 29th

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM*

* Not 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM as listed in the previous update

Practice Schedule:

Monday, May 17th, through Saturday, May 29th

SOVA has entered three teams into three upcoming tournaments including the USA Water Polo Central Zone Qualifer Tournament for the JO National Tournament.  This is going to take off fast starting next week.  We only have three weeks of practice from May17th to June 5th for our first tournament at the Arroyo Grande Kick Off. The following week we play in the Hardcore Cup Tournament in the Fresno Area June 12th and 13th.  Then we have the Central Zone Qualifier Tournament at Clovis West on June 17th thru 20th.  

The tournament registration fee payment links have been posted to the website.

http://www.sovawaterpolo.com/tournaments

Teams we have entered:  Boys 18U, Boys 16U, Boys 14U.  Girls 18U is pending.

If we get more than 15 players per any team for the first two tournaments we will create two teams of 8 and take them both for maximum playing time.

Make sure you are arranging your schedule to make it to practice. For each age group there are two weekday practices, plus a weekday shooting clinic (Fridays) plus a Saturday practice.  If need be, you can practice with other age groups until school is out if that helps with your scheduling.

Get ready for summer Polo!

SOVA Administration

Michael Yenigues

559-786-4453 (best text)

myenigues@gmail.com

Correction to the prior message:

The upcoming tournament dates are in June, not May.

Arroyo Grande Summer Kick Off is June 5th and 6th.  The Hardcore tournament is June 12th & 13th.  Sorry for any confusion caused by the error.

SOVA BOYS 18U USAWP JO TEAM

Some of our younger coaches will be leaving us as they move away and pursue careers. We are very thankful they were able to step in for us during the COVID-19 restrictions on coaching multiple teams.  Veteran JO Session Coaches Michael Yenigues, Michael Chapman and Rory Collinwood will be coaching the Boys 18U team this summer with a number of assistants. We are looking to create a team that works hard, displays sound fundamental techniques and is aggressive in pursuit of success.

SOVA has invested in digital video technology and will be using video analysis for practice and game evaluation, correction and improvement.

The Boys 18U JO Session starts May 18th at MWHS Pool. Online registration is open now. We have a tournament scheduled for Saturday, May 5th in Arroyo Grande and Saturday/Sunday May 12th and 13th at the Hardcore Cup. I am watching USA Water Polo daily for competitive tournaments where we can get some challenging high level competition.

Tuesday and Thursday practice @ 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM (plus scrimmage with Masters at 7:30 PM on Thursdays). 

Friday nights 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM Shooting & Goalie Clinic only. 

Saturday practice 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM unless we are at a scrimmage or tournament.

Expect practice to be challenging and competitiv.  Our purpose is to get our players conditioned and trained to impress college coaches and programs. Success at the USAWP Junior Olympic National Tournament is the best way to get that recognition this summer.

Let's get ready to play!

SOVA SUMMER SESSION & WATER POLO TOURNAMENTS

Summer Session Online Registration will open online Monday, May 3rd.

UPCOMING SUMMER SESSION TOURNAMENTS:

Arroyo Grande Summer Kick Off

JUNE 5th & 6th (Saturday & Sunday)

Saturday, June 5th - 3 Games

Boys 18-Under @ Arroyo Grande HS
Girls 16-Under @ Nipomo HS
Boys 14-Under @ Arroyo Grande HS

Sunday June 6th - 3 Games

Boys 16-Under @ Arroyo Grande HS
Girls 14-Under @ Nipomo HS

2021 Hardcore Cup 

@ REEDLEY HIGH SCHOOL, SANGER HIGH SCHOOL, KINGSBURG HIGH SCHOOL, CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Saturday & Sunday June 12th & 13th

Boys 18-Under 
Boys 16-Under 
Boys 14-Under

Saturday & Sunday June 19th & 20th

Girls 16-Under 
Girls 14-Under 
COED12-Under

SOVA ALUMI NAMED COLLEGE WATER POLO ALL AMERICAN

Grant Snyder, playing for the US Air Force Academy, has earned 2nd Team All American by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC).

Read the story here: 

https://goairforcefalcons.com/news/2021/4/22/grant-snyder-earns-all-america-honors.aspx

A note to SOVA from Grant's father:

Coach Mike

Thanks for the email.  Wanted to share that one of your ex South Valley Water polo players received All American status for water polo at the Air Force Academy.  Thank you for providing the opportunity for Grant to play water polo for your program.  South Valley water polo opened many doors for Grant and planted the seed for his success with Air Force Waterpolo and his All-American status.

Sincere thanks

Gregg Snyder