Varshawsky With a 1-5 record in the Marmonte League, the Moorpark High girls' water polo team has had its struggles this season.

Although the team has fallen on hard times, MHS junior Lexy Varshawsky has shined as the Musketeers' premier offensive weapon. Earlier this season, Varshawsky scored six goals in a game at home against Westlake.

After Wednesday's practice at the Moorpark Athletic Club, the Moorpark Acorn met up with Varshawsky for 10 questions. Here's what she said:

Q) How did you first get into water polo?

A) I played soccer before I played water polo, but I just couldn't get into it that much. I tried water polo because I always loved being in the water.

My mom told me that when I was little she couldn't keep me out of it. It was an opportunity to play a sport with a lot of friends so that was a factor.

When I was in the seventh grade, I started playing with some of the Pepperdine Waves at Mavericks (now called the Moorpark Athletic Club) and it just went from there.

Q) What was it like playing your first year of water polo in high school?

A) My first season I played on the JV team because you weren't allowed to play varsity as a freshmen. I liked my team a lot, and it was great to be playing the sport every week and with people I knew.

Q) What's been your favorite moment playing water polo this year?

A) That has to be my game at home against Westlake where I scored six goals. It was really exciting, and it seemed I was in a zone and hitting the top corners on all my shots. The crowd was totally going crazy, and our team was playing very hard to try and win the game.

Q) At 1-6, it may be a long shot, but does this team have a realistic chance of making the playoffs this year?

A) We do because we're improving every day. We've been real close in some of our losses like the ones to Westlake and Newbury Park. So we're in it, but we need to do a better job of closing out games.

Q) Who are some other players on your team that may not get the recognition they deserve?

A) I would say Caryn Covella and Tina Wu. Caryn adds a lot to the team and tries really hard to move the ball around. Tina has a strong shot, and if I can't get a good shot, she will do a good job of working together with me so I can get open.

Q) How long can you tread water for in a pool?

A) I've never really timed myself, but I can constantly tread water forever. Water polo takes a lot of endurance and energy to play, so treading water is very important. We don't have players in this sport that just play offense or just play defense. You need to be able to do it all.

Q) Okay, here's something you can help me out with. If practice makes perfect, but nobody is perfect, why practice?

A) Well, you still have to practice. If you don't practice, then you'll never improve. I guess the main point of practicing then is to improve and reach your highest level of play. I guess to become the perfect version of you.

Q) Fair enough. So who is going to win the Super Bowl, the Arizona Cardinals or the Pittsburgh Steelers?

A) Oh, God, I should call my dad about this. To tell you the truth, I was really rooting for the San Diego Chargers to make it. When the Chargers lost, I sort of lost interest. I would say that the Super Bowl will be a close game.

Q) What is one thing about water polo that most of the general public doesn't know?

A) Most people don't realize that there is a lot that goes on under the water that a fan can't see. It's not all just arms, your head and the ball. Below the surface there are a lot of tricks going on.

Some people hold players, some wrap their legs around yours, and some push you. Anything is done to get an advantage. So when fans see us swimming slower than usual, that's why.

— Thomas Gase