The562’s coverage of aquatic sports in Long Beach in 2025-26 is sponsored by Watersafe Swim School.
The562’s coverage of Cabrillo Athletics is sponsored by the Cohn Family.
Cabrillo Girls’ Water Polo had a standout season this year full of improvement and grit, earning themselves the All-City Trailblazer of the Year award.
Despite being 1-3 in the Moore League, the Jags finished with a winning record of 10-7 overall. Throughout the challenges Cabrillo faced in the pool, the Jags were able to come together to earn some big wins throughout the year.
Cabrillo started their season with an early loss to La Mirada but quickly turned things around and went on a five-game win streak before diving into Moore League play.
In their first league contest, the Jags earned a big 7-5 victory over Lakewood High School, showcasing their hard work and effort in the pool.
Their season was capped off with a CIF playoff run after Cabrillo was granted an at-large bid into the postseason. The Jags were set as the No. 2 seed heading into the start of Division 5 play.
This year’s senior class of Jags were a major part of the team’s success. Their freshman year was the first time Cabrillo qualified for CIF and they did it again two years later as juniors. Each time they reached the postseason in these cases, the team lost in the opening round.
This year, as seniors, was a different story for the Lady Jags.
In their first round of the CIF-SS Division 5 playoffs, Cabrillo Girls’ Water Polo hosted Mark Keppel, where they dominated in a 22-0 shutout win. The team then held off Bolsa Grande in a 7-5 win to advance to the quarterfinals.
“It means, honestly, the world, to me. Coming from the team that first made it to playoffs ever in Cabrillo history to making it all the way to the first round,” Cabrillo senior Flor Garibay said. “I’ve grown up with these girls since I started high school, so just knowing that we can win with each other and be with each other for almost our whole lives, our whole water polo career is just so bittersweet.”
Although the Jags’ run ended in this quarterfinal round after suffering a 6-3 loss vs. Edgewood, Cabrillo’s grit and persistent effort shined in each game they played throughout the season — and especially in their CIF contests.
