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By COLLEEN DEMPSTER; Times Leader Sports Correspondent
Friday, September 19, 1997     Page: 2B

PLYMOUTH- Some of the best water polo teams in the state hope to make a
splash this weekend at Wyoming Valley West’s Spartan Water Polo Tournament.
   
The eight-team tournament will begin at 4 p.m. today and the competition
will conclude at about 10 p.m. On Saturday the tournament begins at 8 a.m. and
will conclude at approximately 8:30 p.m.
    In addition to Wyoming Valley West, teams competing include: defending
state champion North Penn, Cumberland Valley, Upper Perkiomen, Wissahickon,
McDowell, Souderton, and Upper Merion high schools.
   
The teams will be looking to earn a berth in the Pennsylvania State Water
Polo Championship, set for the last weekend in October. Scores of this
weekend’s competition will be considered when bids for the state tournament
are decided.
   
Last year, the Valley West boys finished third and the girls placed ninth
in the state competition. “This year, we are looking for a state title,” said
head coach Frank Tribendis.
   
Earlier this season, the Spartans knocked off defending state champion
North Penn, 8-7, and won a triple-overtime game against Cumberland Valley,
12-11.
   
Water polo, which combines elements of basketball, soccer and ice hockey in
50-minute games, is a sport that Tribendis hopes will gain in popularity in
this area. Pottsville is the only other area high school with a team.
   
Tribendis said he had talked to Berwick and Central Columbia about starting
teams. “I hope they do. Right now we are the only strong competition in the
area.”
   
The Valley West girls open the tournament against Souderton at 4 p.m.
today. The Valley West boys start play with a match against Upper Merion at
4:50 p.m.
   
The Spartans play Saturday morning, with boys starting action at 8 a.m.,
followed by the girls at 8:50 a.m.