Water polo preview: Mike Doyle adds Cathedral Prep girls team to coaching duties
Mike Doyle's presence in Cathedral Prep aquatics is about to deepen.
Doyle, a 2000 graduate, competed in water polo and swimming during his years as a Rambler and has coached his alma mater's programs since 2008.
More: Erie high school football, fall sports: Everything you need to know for the 2022 season
Now, because of Villa Maria Academy's closure, Doyle will add Prep's first-year girls water polo program to his coaching resume. He takes over for Bob Fischer, who retired after 21 seasons in charge of the Victors.
End of an era: Villa Maria Academy's final class closes door on school's storied history
The Catholic Diocese of Erie closed Villa at the conclusion of the 2021-22 academic year. Its returning female students will attend Prep, which will be a coed school for the first time in its 101-year history.
More: Renovations at Cathedral Prep still in progress, expected to be done by September
The following are some of the notable players who will suit up for Prep, plus those for the McDowell boys and girls and the Fairview girls:
Boys
Mitchell Bradford, senior, Cathedral Prep: Last season's Erie Times-News District 10 male swimmer of the year returns for his final season for the Ramblers, who placed eighth at the 2021 state tournament.
Aidan Levis, senior, Cathedral Prep: His performance as a junior warranted all-state third-team honors. Doyle has designated him one of three captains this season.
Callum Snider-Mills, sophomore, Cathedral Prep: He was voted the state's freshman of the year during the Ramblers' appearance in the 2021 tournament.
Evan Teeter, senior, McDowell: He'll have a new coach for his final season. Mike Esper also will guide the Trojans' girls water polo program.
Girls
Megan Cardella, sophomore, Cathedral Prep: The driver was picked for the all-state freshman team in her lone season at Villa.
Emily Consiglio, senior, Cathedral Prep: The Ramblers' tri-captain was named a first-team all-Western Conference player as a junior.
Claire Gebhardt, junior, McDowell: She scored five goals when the Trojans edged Villa 9-8 in overtime of the Western Conference final and advanced to the state tournament.
Emerald Rucks, senior, Fairview: Her name regularly appeared in the Tigers' 2021 box scores for goals and assists.
Katie Welton, senior, Cathedral Prep: Like Consiglio, the driver was a first-team all-conference selection.
Water polo dates to remember
Tuesday: Cathedral Prep at McDowell (girls and boys), 6 and 7 p.m.
Sept. 10: Tiger Classic at North Allegheny, Wexford
Sept. 13: Fairview at McDowell (girls), 6 p.m.
Sept. 16-17: Screamin' Eagle Tournament at Cumberland Valley, Mechanicsburg
Sept. 23-24: Beast of the East Tournament at Central York
Oct. 1: Erie Challenge, Part One at Hagerty Family Events Center
Oct. 4: Fairview at McDowell (girls), 6 p.m.
Oct. 6: McDowell at Cathedral Prep (girls and boys), 6 and 7 p.m.
Oct. 15: Erie Challenge, Part Two at Hagerty Family Events Center
Oct. 22?: Western Conference tournament, TBD
Oct. 28-29: Boys state tournament at Wilson High School, West Lawn
Nov. 4-5: Girls state tournament at North Penn High School, Lansdale
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Water polo preview: Mike Doyle to coach Cathedral Prep girls
