BAINBRIDGE – The Rams darted to a 4-0 first-quarter lead and never let up as Wilson High sank the Spartans 14-7 in girls varsity water polo late last week at the Bainbridge Aquatics Center.

It was the final home match of the season and also Senior Day for the Spartans. Bainbridge honored Kate Eckert (team captain), Alyssa Estes and Larissa Nowjack before the start of the game in a bittersweet farewell to the Spartan trio.

“The seniors are all amazing leaders on this team in so many ways,” said Spartan Head Coach Kristin Gellert. “They all have the attitude and drive that helps a team to be successful. This team is going to miss them so much next year, not just their skill in the pool, but their leadership outside of the water.”

The three were pivotal parts of the Spartan squad, Gellert added.

“I’m so grateful that we’ve all been able to get such a positive impact from each of them, and our entire program will be better because they were a part of it,” she said.

Though Bainbridge fell behind early against Wilson, the Spartans never gave up and challenged the Rams through an intensely physical game.

Eckert and Estes each scored twice, while teammates Greta Huber, Josie Davis and Grace Carson contributed one goal apiece.

“The Wilson game was a tough one,” Gellert said. “We were all pumped up for it, but I think nerves got the best of us and we weren’t in it 100 percent mentally and made mistakes that the other team monopolized on.”

The Spartans faced Wilson earlier this season, in another scorefest that saw the Rams prevail with a 12-7 win.

“I think we’re pretty evenly matched, more so than the final score showed, but we need to tighten up our game going into these tougher post-season matches,” the Spartan coach added. “Hopefully we’ll get to face-off against Wilson again, I know my girls would like another go at them.”

The Spartans returned to the pool for regional play Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21.

BHS faced Bellevue in the first round.