Going into the 2025 season, the Santa Maria boys water polo team had not won a game since 2019.

"We came close last year," said Santa Maria sophomore set position player Jose Garcia. "We lost three games by one goal."

This year, the Saints HAVE broken through. In fact, they moved to 9-4 overall on the season with a 13-7 Ocean League win against crosstown rival Pioneer Valley at Santa Maria's Karl Bell Aquatic Center Tuesday. Garcia popped in four goals Tuesday, and Santa Maria junior flat position player Ulises Munoz scored three times.

Santa Maria is closing in on the first playoff berth for the school's boys water polo program in years. CIF Central Section water polo teams must have a minimum .350 regular season winning percentage to be playoff eligible. The Saints have four league ga

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