DAILY PILOT HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK:

Knowing Nicolina McCall’s background it was expected that she would eventually play water polo at USC.

But would you believe she actually thought to go to UCLA? Even just the thought of playing for the Bruins would make her seem like an outcast in her family.

The Newport Harbor High senior is quite familiar with the Trojans. Her father, Mike, played water polo at USC, as did her older brother, Adam, and older sister, Jenn. McCall is the fifth of six McCall children, and she will be the fourth to attend USC, as her sister Rebecca plays for the Trojans, too.

In these hard times of a bad economy, McCall said she thought to save her parents some money and go to UCLA, which is less expensive for tuition.

But playing water polo for the Bruins? Perish the thought.

“I wanted to go to USC or UCLA, those were my main choices,” McCall said. “But I really wanted to go to USC because my whole family went there.”

She also decided to play for the Trojans because they gave her the ability to commit early. The Bruins could not provide that, she said.

“Being signed early, it’s so much more relaxing,” McCall said. “Your senior year, the whole time, you’re thinking about college. So it’s nice to decide. I get to tell people I’m going to a good college.”

McCall knew better to pick USC.

When it comes to water polo, she’s also smart. Most teammates, and opponents, know McCall has a strong sense for the game. And, when it comes to finding the right shot, she’s highly intelligent. Or, as Newport Harbor Coach Bill Barnett calls her, “crafty.”

“That would be the best word to describe her,” Barnett said. “I don’t know how she does it, but she somehow gets the ball and finds a way to score … whether it’s soft, hard, a lob, or a directional shot she’ll find a way.”

Last week she found a way, six times. She scored six goals to help lead the Sailors to a 15-8 nonleague win at El Toro.

But scoring is not as technical to McCall.

“I kind of make it up as I go,” McCall said of her mentality for water polo. “I don’t really think when I play. I just play on instincts.”

She’s doing that this week, trying to help Newport Harbor defend its title in the Irvine Southern California Championships.

It seems to be all business for McCall, a team captain, and the Sailors, as they attempt to defend their CIF Southern Section Division I championship.

Playing for a coach as intense as Barnett calls for a serious mood among the Newport Harbor players. But the Sailors have experienced their lighter moments, too, even coming from their long-time coach.

Barnett’s been known to jump in the water whenever the Sailors celebrate a CIF championship.

He also gives his players chances to gain rare experiences at other positions.

That was seen Wednesday, when McCall played goalie in the fourth quarter against Marina.

“It’s fun. I like it,” McCall said of playing goalie. “I had a shutout. That’s right, no goals.”

Though there was a bit of levity with McCall in the cage, she certainly didn’t take it as a joke. She knows her role on defense is just as important as it is on offense.

She’s planning to take that mentality to USC.

STEVE VIRGEN may be reached at (714) 966-4616 or by e-mail at [email protected].