Dec. 2, 2016
A two-time KAI Sports All-America goalkeeper, a 2016 North Coast Section second-team selection and a player headed to the 18U World Water Polo Championships in December signed a National Letter-of-Intent to enroll at San Jose State University and join the university's women's water polo program.
Goalkeeper Hannah Henry from Soquel (Calif.) High and 2-meter players Mala Godinez from James Logan High in Union City, Calif., and Tyanna Supreme from Pierrefonds, Quebec in Canada are joining the Spartans for the 2018 season.
"Each one of them will be a great addition to our team," says new San Jose State University women's water polo head coach Gabor Sarusi.
Henry was named the 2016 Central Coast Section (CCS) Division II Co-Player of the Year after Soquel High played in the CCS championship game. She was credited with 226 saves in 28 matches. The three-time first-team All-Central Coast Section pick was the Monterey Bay League's Most Valuable Player in 2016. The four-time first-team All-Gabilan League choice was a goalkeeper on four league championship teams.
"Hannah is a reliable, solid goalkeeper who can be a huge asset for us in the future. She understands the game really well and can guide her defense both from the front of the cage and when the team is on offense," said the Spartans coach. Henry's sister, Rachel Henry, was a high-scoring field player on the 2011 through 2014 San Jose State women's water polo teams.
Godinez is a two-time Mission Valley League honoree. She was a second-team choice as a sophomore and first-team pick as a junior. Prior to her senior year, Godinez was one 20 Northern California players to train with USA Water Polo's Girls Under-18 team.
"Mala (pronounced May-la) brings us much-needed length. She is a player who can boost a team's 2-meter defense and offense. She also has good speed. She is a Spartan at heart," Sarusi said about Godinez, whose dad is a San José State alum.
A 2-meter player, Supreme was a member of the Canadian girls' under-17 team that won a silver medal in the 2015 Pan American Games in Kingston, Jamaica. She is one of 13 players named to the Canadian girls' under-18 team that will be competing in the 18U World Water Polo Championships in Auckland, New Zealand, December 12-18.
"She brings 2-meter strengths to our team. She will be able to help us right away," the Spartans' coach said about Supreme.