The Leigh High School varsity water polo team (San Jose, CA) will face off against Menlo-Atherton High School (Atherton, CA) in a neutral-site playoff game today at 7 PM. This is the CIF-CCS Division 1 Semifinal, held at Palo Alto.

MAHS vs Leigh Water Polo Game Info:

What: California High School Girls Water Polo
Who: MAHS vs Leigh
When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: 5:30 p.m.
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Game preview: MAHS vs Leigh

As the high school water polo season unfolds, two teams in Northern California have been making waves with their strong performances: Menlo-Atherton and Leigh. Both teams have impressive records, with Menlo-Atherton finishing their regular season with a standout 18-5 record, and Leigh posting a respectable 11-8. Here’s a breakdown of how these two teams compare, looking at their rankings, key statistics, and their head-to-head results.

Team Rankings & Overall Performance

Menlo-Atherton is ranked 66th nationally, 44th in California, and 13th in their section, making them a dominant force in high school water polo. With an overall record of 18-5, their league performance has been nothing short of perfect, with a flawless 10-0 record in league play. Their success continues across home (11-2), away (3-2), and neutral (4-1) games. With a win percentage of .783 and a perfect 1.000 in league play, Menlo-Atherton is a team to reckon with.

Leigh, on the other hand, is ranked 80th nationally, 52nd in California, and 15th in their section. With an 11-8 overall record, they have performed solidly, especially in their league, where they have posted a 5-1 record. However, their results in non-league play are more mixed, with a 2-4 record away from home. Their overall win percentage sits at .579, with a league win percentage of .833.

Scoring Averages

The offensive output of both teams is impressive, but Menlo-Atherton and Leigh have slightly different approaches to scoring.

• Menlo-Atherton’s scoring averages are slightly lower, with 1.8 goals per first quarter, 2.3 in the second, 1.3 in the third, and 0.8 in the fourth. This adds up to an average of 9.5 goals per game.
• Leigh, meanwhile, boasts more consistent scoring, averaging 2.9 goals per quarter and a total of 10.8 goals per game. Their highest scoring periods are the first and second quarters, both averaging 2.9 goals.

Team Stat Comparison

When looking at overall team stats, Menlo-Atherton has recorded 193 goals, 157 assists, 449 shots, and 192 steals. This shows they are an efficient and well-rounded team.

Leigh, however, leads in goals scored, with 205 on the season. They have been slightly more aggressive in shooting, likely reflecting their higher goals-per-game average, but they fall short of Menlo-Atherton in assists and steals, where Menlo-Atherton’s 157 assists and 192 steals stand out.

Key Players

Both teams are led by star players who have been instrumental in their successes this season.

• Menlo-Atherton’s standout player is #11 Emma Little, who leads the team with 42 goals, 30 assists, and 92 shots, alongside 55 steals.
• Leigh also has key players, with a team-leading 17 goals for #11 Emma Little (a different player with the same name) and 11 assists. Their steal leader is #4 Summer Mo with 16 steals.

Head-to-Head Comparison

When comparing the performance of these teams against common opponents, it’s clear that both have had notable successes.

• Menlo-Atherton faced Saint Francis on September 3, 2024, and suffered a loss (10-4), but bounced back with a 9-4 victory over Willow Glen on September 7. They also secured a 6-4 win over Los Altos on October 19.
• Leigh played Saint Francis on September 20, 2024, also losing 12-9, but they defeated Willow Glen 9-7 on September 18, and again triumphed over Willow Glen on November 1 with a 12-10 win. However, they lost 6-5 to Los Altos on September 20.

Both teams are competitive against top-tier opponents, with Menlo-Atherton’s win over Los Altos standing out as a notable victory.

Conclusion

As both Menlo-Atherton and Leigh head into the postseason, they are likely to be formidable opponents. Menlo-Atherton’s flawless league record and high-scoring offense make them one of the top teams in the region, while Leigh’s consistency in scoring and solid league performance demonstrate they can compete with the best. With players like Emma Little and Summer Mo leading the way, both teams have the talent to make deep playoff runs.

The season has been a memorable one for both teams, and with such close competition between them, the upcoming games promise even more exciting action. Whether you’re rooting for Menlo-Atherton’s dominant league record or Leigh’s balanced approach, it’s clear both teams are capable of making a mark in the postseason.