Four Warriors given all-league water polo honors

The Nov. 13 Valley League boys water polo coaches meeting included the selection of all-league teams, and four Fallbrook players were given all-league recognition.

Tiane Maestas was named to the Valley League's first team. Although no Warriors were given second-team distinction, honorable mention accolades were bestowed upon Mo Abdelrahman, Jackson Richards and Caleb Smedley.

The Warriors placed fourth in the final six-team league standings with a 2-3 record in Valley League play.

"I was really happy to get a player on first team," said Fallbrook coach Bill Richardson.

Maestas, a senior, played two-meter offense for the Warriors.

"The other coaches definitely fought for him to be on the team," said Richardson. "That was a nice gesture on their part."

The Valley League first team and the all-league second team consisted of seven players apiece. The league has an honorable mention category for players who were not chosen to be among the top 14 but displayed merit.

"It was nice to have that third-team honor for them," Richardson said.

Abdelrahman is a senior who was a two-meter defensive player for the Warriors. Smedley is also a senior and played as a driver. Richards, Fallbrook's only all-league junior, was a driver for the 2018 season.

The 2017 Fallbrook team included 10 seniors, and all seven of last year's starters graduated. Maestas, Richards, and Smedley were the only three 2017 varsity players who also played this year.

"It speaks to the level they play at," said Richardson of all three of his returning players receiving all-league designation.

Richardson noted that the returning players were expected to be centerpieces of the team. "They definitely lived up to that expectation," he said.