From Register Staff

• Editor’s Note: The following is part of an occasional series of fall sports previews among the Valley’s colleges and high schools. Local coaches from boys water polo, boys soccer, girls golf, cross country and girls tennis should e-mail their fall preview forms as soon as possible to Register sports editor Randy Johnson at rjohnson@napanews.com.

As the temperature cools down, most people wouldn’t think of jumping into a swimming pool — not so for the Valley’s girls water polo teams.

The Justin-Siena, Napa and Vintage high school squads have returned to the water for another season of competition.

Here’s a closer look at each team:

• Justin-Siena High School

Head coach Laurie Gaynor and assistant Leah McEachern will rely on a quartet of players to improve on last season’s 6-9-1 effort — senior co-captains Katie Carmody and Carly Orris, as well as juniors Nikole D’Adamo and Caitlin Calkin.

Gaynor said they are all-around players.

“This year is our school’s fourth year in water polo and we are continuing to build our program,” said Gaynor. “While we graduated a number of seniors last year, the team’s energy is upbeat and the players are looking forward to expanding their skills and remaining competitive playing this most enjoyable sport.”

• Napa High School

Indians coach Mike Garibaldi feels last season’s 9-13 outfit could produce a top-three team in the Monticello Empire League this fall.

To do that, Napa High will turn to senior Lauren Turigliatto, a 2-meter hole set and the team’s top scorer; junior goalie Alyssa Warrington, whom Garibaldi refers to as the “general of the team”; senior Micaela Jones, a driver who will be called upon to play strong defense; junior Rachel Picket, a driver with a variety of offensive skills; and senior Kelsi Espinoza, a driver with a strong shooting arm.

• Vintage High School

Last year’s edition of the Crushers took second place in the MEL with a 6-3 mark and finished 15-16 overall, good for sixth place in the Sac-Joaquin Section.

This year, coach Julian Szmidt has a handful of quality players returning, including senior Jessica Loper, a 2-meter offensive player who was All-League in 2004-05 and All-Section last year; 2004 All-Section honoree and senior Melissa Loper, a 2-meter defender and All-League pick in 2004 and 2005; senior attacker/defender Sarah Wolfe, a 2005 All-League selection; junior goalie Katie Montez; and senior utility Lauren Kachur.

“We have a strong group of returning players with an excellent work ethic and experience,” said Szmidt.