Sierra water polo kicked off the 2024 campaign Thursday sweeping Tracy with a 13-3 win in the girls game, while the Timberwolves boys held on, 15-12.

Sierra’s Mele Sanchez notched a hat trick in a little over a minute Thursday to led the Sierra girls with five goals and six steals.

“I was just working on getting set,” Sanchez said, “I was looking for the shots in the high corners and drawing the foul.”

Sierra led 7-1 going into the second half when Gianna Ramos (three steals) got her second of two goals.

“We have been practicing a lot on press to steal and press no foul,” Ramos said. “Along with catching and shooting and working on the little stuff that we can apply into the game.”

After Sanchez, the Timberwolves (1-0) spread the scoring around with two goals for Molly Allen (steal) and a goal apiece for Phoebe Burke (steal), Bianca Fraser (steal), Madison Madrid and Stephanie Thomason.

“This was a really good game,” Sierra coach Lauren Koury said. “We applied everything we have been doing in practice and over the summer. A lot of girls stepped up to be leaders.

“We got everyone play time today, and that was important with 17 girls on the roster.”

Maggi Stokes notched all three goals for the Bulldogs (0-1).

Collins Schluer powered in eight goals – with four coming in the final period – to lead the new-look Timberwolves boys.

“First game with big nerves,” Schluer said. “At the beginning, we were going a little slow, but we bonded as a team and we got the win.”

Sierra’s Bayan Ballew added three goals, four assists and three steals.

“It was a great game to get our confidence up,” Ballew said. “We lost a lot of great players from last season, but we are building this new team from scratch.”

Carson Murray (three assists, steal), Mason Chavez (two assists, steal), Noah Sandoval (assist, steal) and Dallin Murray (assist) each added a goal for the Timberwolves (1-0).

“It was nice,” Sierra coach Corey Winter said. “I think it was just a question of them trying to figure out things with seniors being gone and freshmen coming in, figure out our groove along with what was working for us and what wasn’t.

“I think this game was a perfect example of what the potential is that we have for this season.”

Jaden Ambris led Tracy (0-1) with five goals.

The Timberwolves take to the road for their next games, with the boys traveling to Ripon on Monday, Sept. 9 and the girls heading to Stockton on Tuesday, Sept. 10 to face Lincoln with both games starting at 4 p.m.