Costa Mesa’s Joey Palmblade earns Orange Coast League boys’ water polo MVP

Costa Mesa High senior goalkeeper Joey Palmblade received Orange Coast League MVP honors in boys’ water polo after helping the Mustangs win their second straight league title.

Palmblade made a Costa Mesa single-season record 345 saves. That surpassed James Rydjeski’s mark of 325 saves in 2013.

The Mustangs (16-12, 4-0 in league) beat Rancho Cucamonga 12-7 in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 3 playoffs before losing 10-9 at Northwood in the second round.

Joining Palmblade as first-team all-league selections were Costa Mesa senior attacker Gabe Gerber, junior attacker Gavin Fisher and junior center Anderson Todd. Estancia junior attackers Logan Richard and Noah Gniffke, as well as junior goalkeeper Griffin Beth, also all earned first-team nods.

Gerber had 35 goals, 27 assists and 42 steals for Costa Mesa. Fisher tallied 65 goals, which was second on the team, adding team-best totals of 76 assists and 64 steals.

Todd led Costa Mesa with 80 goals, adding six assists and 17 steals.

Richard, Gniffke and Beth helped Estancia go 20-9 overall and 3-1 in the league for second place. The Eagles lost 12-6 to Marina in the first round of the Division 5 playoffs.

Second-team selections included Costa Mesa juniors Xander Luckett and William Harrington, as well as Estancia senior Matthew Kehoe and sophomore Reece Adkins. Estancia senior Benjamin Evans and sophomore Brodie White were honorable mentions.

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