In five years, coaches Ken DeMan and Bob Averill have turned the Enumclaw High girls water polo team into a force to be reckoned with.

Now the pair are trying their hand at the Enumclaw High boys water polo program.

In those five seasons, Averill and DeMan have built a 69-34 record and have led to Lady Hornets to state the past four years. Joining Averill and DeMan on deck as an assistant coach will be Kyle Hardersen, a 2005 EHS graduate, and 2009 graduate of the University of Washington. Hardersen was a member of Enumclaw High School’s first boys water polo team in 2002, and a second team all-conference selection at the University of Washington in 2009.

“We’re excited to welcome Kyle back,” Averill said. “He can teach skills from a different perspective than Ken or I, and brings us some fresh ideas and enthusiasm.” “He’s a great resource for the team, especially for kids who hope to play at the collegiate level.”

This year’s team has 21 members, 11 with experience from last season’s fifth-place state team. Returners include seniors Shane Jackson and Alex Stopsack; six juniors, including captains Josh Musick and Travis Culp, Garrett Hall, Cory Larsen, Zack Petersen and Will Skelley. Sophomores T.J. Cormier, Logan Ross and Gabe Sales round out the returning Hornet players.

“The challenge will be getting familiarized with the guys and getting them familiar with us,” Averill said. “We’re also finding the game a little different for the guys than the girls.”

The Hornets finished the season third in league under Chris and Ann Bettencourt last season. The Hornets have 12 league games scheduled including the opener, a jamboree Saturday at Wilson High School in Tacoma. The Hornets will play four games at the event, made up of two, seven-minute periods each. The Hornets will start play Curtis at noon, followed by Stadium at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. against Puyallup and finish up with Lakes at 4.

The league includes Auburn, Auburn Mountainview, Auburn Riverside, Peninsula, Wilson and this season a new addition in Stadium.