THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

A preseason look at the top girls’ water polo teams in the Southland:

1. Foothill (SS-Div. I)

The Knights return three of the best players in the country, seniors Emily Feher, Gabbie Domanic and Brittany Hayes, who have led the team to the last three Southern Section Division I titles.

2. Newport Harbor (SS-Div. I)

The Sailors have 10 seniors on their team, led by UCLA signee Jenna Murphy, who had 42 goals, 53 steals and 44 assists last year. They meet Foothill in much-anticipated Sea View League game on Feb. 12.

3. Santa Margarita (SS-Div. I)

Their best player graduated, but Eagles have a loaded senior class, led by returning starters Erika Figge, Aimee Stachowksi, Kacy Kunkel and Sarah Hamilton.

4. Corona del Mar (SS-Div. II)

Last season’s Division IV champions move up two levels, but that shouldn’t slow seniors Christian Hewko, Brittney Bowlus, Danielle Carlson and Daniela DiGiacomo, all first-team All-Southern Section selections a year ago.

5. Santa Barbara (SS-Div. IV)

Dons lost Division II player of the year Lauren Boreta to graduation, but return first-team selections Molly Cahill and Miranda Nichols and second-team picks Laura Borneman and Brittany Young.

6. Los Alamitos (SS-Div. I)

The return of seniors Robyn Kaake and Sarah Kilgore and juniors Jessica Lewis and Dayna Wawrzynski should make Griffins one of the region’s more improved teams.

7. Anaheim Canyon (SS-Div. II)

Courtney and Lauren Mathewson bring power and speed to the Comanches, who will get a quick test when they host Santa Margarita on Friday.

8. Villa Park (SS-Div. II)

Seniors Cara Colton and Kathryn Sullivan were mainstays last season for the Spartans, who begin Century League play by hosting Canyon on Jan. 14.

9. Riverside Poly (SS-Div. V)

Junior Monique Blanchard is Inland Empire’s top player and she will be joined by junior transfer Alison Riddle, an All-Southern Section first-team selection last season at San Bernardino.

10. Long Beach Wilson (SS-Div. I)

The Bruins graduated their two best players but feature one of the region’s top sophomores in Lauren Silver, who scored game-winning goal in quarterfinal playoff against Lake Forest El Toro last season.