Yucaipa Girls Water Polo Team Outlasts Palm Desert in Playoff Match

Payton Harp's late penalty shot seals 13-11 victory for Thunderbirds in Division 3 second-round game

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Yucaipa High School girls water polo team defeated Palm Desert 13-11 in a CIF Southern Section Division 3 second-round playoff match. Senior Payton Harp scored a match-high 5 goals, including a late penalty shot that sealed the victory for the Thunderbirds. Yucaipa jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and held off a Palm Desert comeback to advance to the quarterfinals.

Why it matters

This win showcases the resilience and balanced scoring attack of the Yucaipa team, which lost to Palm Desert earlier in the season. It also highlights the standout performance of the diminutive but powerful Payton Harp, who has emerged as a leader for the Thunderbirds. The victory sets up a quarterfinal matchup between Yucaipa and defending Division 4 champion San Dimas.

The details

Yucaipa took an early 3-0 lead behind goals from Payton Harp, Sofia Stacks and Brianna Nunez. Goalkeeper Audrey Reed made key saves to keep Palm Desert at bay, including denying Nadia Frutkin on a penalty shot. Palm Desert rallied to take a 6-5 lead in the third quarter, but Yucaipa responded with a 5-2 run to retake control. Harp's impressive long-range goal early in the fourth quarter helped Yucaipa hold on for the 13-11 victory.

  • The teams met earlier in the season, with Palm Desert winning 15-13 in overtime.
  • On Tuesday night, the second-round playoff match was played at Crafton Hills College.

The players

Payton Harp

A senior at Yucaipa High School who stands around 5 feet tall but possesses a powerful arm, scoring a match-high 5 goals including a late penalty shot to seal the victory.

Jordan Herron

In her third year as the head coach of the Yucaipa girls water polo team, which she once played for.

Nadia Frutkin

A player for Palm Desert who scored 9 goals in the teams' earlier meeting but was held to 4 goals in the playoff match.

Audrey Reed

The Yucaipa goalkeeper who made 10 saves, including denying Frutkin on a penalty shot and two 1-on-1 counterattacks.

Hayden Trent

The Palm Desert goalkeeper who registered a match-high 15 saves.

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What they’re saying

“Payton is a weapon, and her gaining that confidence during the season has been so huge for us. She's stepped up as a leader and can put goals away when we need her to.”

— Jordan Herron, Head Coach, Yucaipa Girls Water Polo (sbsun.com)

“I think we were a little scared the first time. That wasn't the case tonight. We wanted to make sure every girl was doing their job and that we had good energy from the start. Coming out with such a strong start was something we had to have.”

— Jordan Herron, Head Coach, Yucaipa Girls Water Polo (sbsun.com)

“I saw the goalie was out, and I just felt confident that I can make this.”

— Payton Harp (sbsun.com)

“I think I stop breathing right before I shoot. I'm just looking to shot as fast as I can.”

— Payton Harp (sbsun.com)

What’s next

Yucaipa will face San Dimas, last season's Division 4 champion, in the quarterfinal match on Thursday night at Crafton Hills College. Yucaipa defeated San Dimas 19-11 earlier this season.

The takeaway

This hard-fought playoff victory showcases the growth and resilience of the Yucaipa girls water polo team, which has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in Division 3 after an earlier loss to Palm Desert. The standout performance of senior Payton Harp, along with the team's balanced scoring attack and stifling defense, have the Thunderbirds peaking at the right time as they advance to the quarterfinals.