Last year’s Auburn Riverside girls water polo program finished fifth at the Washington State championship tournament.

This year the team is already 5-1, undefeated in the East Division with a 5-0 record, and looking to better that state finish.

According to coach Mike Van Eaton, who is in his second year at the helm of the Raven girls – he also coaches the Auburn Riverside boys program – this season is the culmination of four strong years from the senior class.

“We have Mollie Ridge in hole set and Charissa Dorn as a perimeter shooter, and they’re doing huge things,” Van Eaton said. “Then we’ve got Stori Freeland, Sarah Lee and Paige Moskowitz all doing great things in support. And our goalie, Drew Warren, is helping. It’s just a huge team effort. They’ve been playing for four years together, so we’ve got a great senior squad looking to do great things.”

For the Ravens, however, strength goes beyond the seniors, with a strong core of freshman already chipping in and ready to continue moving the program forward.

“The girls with experience are playing really well together, but then we have a huge freshman class, eight of them, that are learning the game,” Van Eaton said. “A couple of them are strong prospects and coming in off the bench to help out. And Grace Dorn, a sophomore, is a huge help off the bench.”

With the future secure in the hands of the younger Raven squad members, the upperclassmen are free to continue their quest for glory at the state tournament this year.

“Their goal is to go as far as they can at state,” Van Eaton said. “They fully expect to do better than they did last year at state, hopefully top-four. But they really just want a strong senior year and to have their best year after four years. I’m just doing my best to keep up with them.”