Trio of La Cañada girls’ water polo players earns postseason awards

With an elite attacker, hole/set and goalkeeper on board, the La Cañada High girls’ water polo team found itself in good position to challenge for the Rio Hondo League championship.

Sophomores Genevieve Fraipont, Mimi Zwaneveld and Carolyne Stern stood out at their respective positions, helping the Spartans win their first outright league title since 2009 after splitting it in 2016.

With Frapoint’s accurate shot, Zwaneveld’s attention to detail in the transition game and Stern’s shot-blocking skills, the Spartans thrived throughout the season under first-year coach Nikki Davidson. The three players were recognized for their efforts when the All-CIF Southern Section Division II teams were released Monday.

Fraipont, an attacker, was named to the first team. She finished with 87 goals, 53 steals and 46 assists.

“She’s not selfish and she likes to get everybody involved, “ Davidson said. “She had an impact in a game because she received a lot of attention from the other team.”

Zwaneveld, a hole/set, finished with 52 goals and 13 assists to secure second-team recognition.

“Mimi was such a huge presence for us,” Davidson said. “ She was incredibly difficult for players to match up with.”

The 6-foot-2 Stern flourished at goalkeeper, finishing with 227 saves, 36 steals and 29 assists, earning third-team accolades.

“She’s incredible in making some of the saves that she did,” Davidson said. “You want that player in goal who can give you a chance to win all the time and she’s going to be a big part of the team next year.”

La Cañada (21-9, 8-0 in league) reached the second round of the playoffs before suffering a 12-10 loss to eventual champion Schurr.

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Charles Rich, charles.rich@latimes.com

Twitter: @TCNCharlesRich