On Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, tension rippled through the pool as the Berkeley High School boys varsity water polo team faced Piedmont High School at home in a suspenseful game. Having only beaten Piedmont by a one goal weeks before, the team was determined to secure a win.
After a closely contested battle, with both teams maintaining offensive effort and balance throughout the game, the Jackets ultimately took the victory. “It was really hard, Piedmont’s a good team, but I think we kept it pretty even the whole time, and then we had to pull through right at the end,” Rowan Blomberg, BHS junior, said.
The Jackets began with a powerful start but were down 2-1 within the first three minutes. Blomberg, the team’s top scorer, regained control and scored soon after. Following this, goalie Alexander Verga made a remarkable save and cleared the ball into the opponents half. With minutes to spare in the first quarter, Blomberg made another riveting shot and scored.
Kicking off the second quarter, the Jackets won possession of the ball during the sprint and capitalized with an attempt at goal by BHS senior Aavi Newton. Midway through the quarter, an offensive player from Piedmont got kicked out after aggressively grabbing on to a player and holding him back. Immediately after, the Jackets also fouled Piedmont. “Water polo is an aggressive game and it can get feisty. You can’t let your guard down,” BHS sophomore Jesse Ashlock, said. A five meter free shot was given to Piedmont, but goalie Verga hammered the ball clear out of the defensive half. The Jackets defense managed to hinder two of the opposing teams shots within 30 seconds. Astonishingly, less than 10 seconds after a goal from Piedmont, Newton scored and leveled the game.
During the break, the atmosphere was tense as fans and family in the bleachers were uncertain what the outcome would be. The third quarter began and Piedmont gained momentum and scored two back to back goals. BHS sophomore Leonard Hays completed two breathtaking shots bringing Berkeley to a 10-8 lead. Securing a lead isn’t easy but, according to head coach Alon Yoeli, all it takes is teamwork and communication.
“I think today we have more connectedness with the team. The players were really talking to each other, a lot of good communication,” Yoeli said.
In what appeared to be a secure win at the end of quarter three, became a much closer contest. During quarter four, Berkeley still had momentum and continued to control the game. Blomberg wasn’t fazed by Piedmont’s recent goals and scored a strong shot. Soon after, Piedmont called their first timeout. The Jackets took this time to strategize, and they responded with a goal scored by Newton. Only up by one goal, Berkeley had to remain stable during the last seconds of the game. Finally, the whistle was blown, the crowd erupted with cheers as the Jackets managed to secure their 13-12 triumph over Piedmont.
With a roster composed of mostly upperclassmen who are in their final season, they are determined to work hard and continue building their performance as the year goes on. Verga, who is a junior, has been playing water polo since ninth grade. “Winning means the world to me. I have never felt so good winning a game,” Verga explained. At the height of its season, boys varsity water polo is on a great track and hopes to win the North Coast Section Championships. “I think this team has what it takes to win section champs this year,” Ashlock said.