By CAROL GULLSTAD

Special to the Reporter

For the first time since the 2010 season, the Mercer Island boys water polo team is atop the North division.

The Islanders continued its winning ways, defeating Ballard 13-6 on Sept. 26 and Roosevelt 13-9 on Sept. 28 in a back-to-back home stand on Mercer Island.

Senior Sammy Vacca (eight goals scored) and freshman Max Vacca (three goals scored) accounted for 11 of the Islanders’ 13 goals against Roosevelt. Daniel Kavesh and Leif Gullstad added a goal apiece as well in the victory. Mercer Island goalie Will Cero had 14 saves between the posts.

Islanders’ head coach Calvin White is thrilled with his team’s progress in early season action.

“The guys are starting to learn what I’m asking of them in the pool and I am learning what to expect from them. It’s always a work in progress. The key ingredients are hard work and focus on the fundamentals,” White said. “Challenges ahead are keeping the guys focused, don’t let them get too ahead of themselves and, of course, focus on the big games ahead.”