By Michael Adams
madams@austinsportsjournal.com
Eleven boys and 11 girls high school water polo teams begin their quest for a state championship on Monday as the University Interscholastic League state playoffs get underway.
District tournaments concluded last week. Westwood’s girls and Round Rock’s boys won District 22-6A championships, LASA’s girls and boys claimed the District 23-6A title, and Westlake’s boys and Buda Johnson’s girls took home the District 24-6A crowns.
Water polo is only in its third year of competition as a sanctioned UIL sport. The Austin area has yet to have a team reach the state tournament.
Last year, Round Rock and Westwood both reached the girls Region III tournament. Westwood lost to eventual state champion Richmond Foster, while Round Rock lost to Cypress Creek.
In the boys bracket, Anderson and Westlake reached the Region III tournament. The Trojans lost to eventual regional champion Richmond Foster, while the Chaparrals lost to Cypress Creek.
For the 2024-25 school year, there are 155 UIL boys programs and 151 girls programs, all in Class 6A. In the Austin area, there are 13 boys programs and 12 girls programs. Bowie and McNeil fielded boys and girls teams for the first time in 2024, while Westlake added a girls team.
Here’s a look at the first two round playoff matchups:
Boys Playoffs
Class 6A-Region III
Bi-district games (Monday-Tuesday)
Johnson vs. Bowie
LASA vs. Lehman
Anderson vs. Hays
Westlake vs. Austin High
Area playoff games (Thursday-Saturday)
Waco Midway vs. Johnson/Bowie winner
Round Rock vs. Lehman/LASA winner
Westwood vs. Anderson/Hays winner
Cedar Ridge vs. Westlake/Austin High winner
Girls Playoffs
Class 6A-Region III
Bi-district games (Monday-Tuesday)
Westlake vs. McCallum
LASA vs. Lehman
Anderson vs. Hays
Johnson vs. Austin High
Area playoff games (Thursday-Saturday)
Cedar Ridge vs. Westlake/McCallum winner
Westwood vs. LASA/Lehman winner
Round Rock vs. Anderson/Hays winner
Waco Midway vs. Johnson/Austin High winner
Key dates
Oct. 7-8: Bi-district round, neutral sites
Oct. 10-12: Area playoffs, neutral sites
Oct. 14-15: Regional quarterfinals, neutral sites
Oct. 18-19: Regional tournaments, Cy-Fair ISD Natatorium, Houston
Oct. 25-26: State tournament, Josh Davis Natatorium, San Antonio