SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Brinnley Barthels remembers the situation. She was called off the bench in the section semifinals against St. Mary’s in Tokay back in 2011. As a sophomore, she had not played too much but was ready to see some action in a big game. Then, she slipped…

“I was really nervous, it was raining that day and the deck was really slippery,” recalls Barthels. “I slipped across the pool deck and rolled into the water. I hit the lane line and everyone was silent. The entire Jesuit water polo team was there watching us. All the Davis boys were there. All the parents were there. I was like, ‘I’m good’. My knee was all scraped…It was pretty funny.”

Two years later, the memory of the ungraceful entry into the pool has been replaced by highlights of her play in the pool during a solid senior season. She has scored game-winning goals in key contests, including an overtime winner versus St. Mary’s and the senior game victory over Bella Vista, and been a key player for the Troubadours.

“It was really great to be able to be the one to finish it and not have to go into another overtime,” said Barthels about the St. Mary’s win. “Everyone is so happy and supportive in that moment. It is the greatest feeling…The winning goal is so exhilarating.”

There was also exhilaration Wednesday as St. Francis pulled out a comeback victory over Granite Bay to advance to the section finals for the 10th consecutive season. Barthels scored twice to help the Troubadours rebound from a 4-0 deficit, extending the season to the championship game.

“It felt great after coming out so weak, building up and scoring goals,” said Barthels. “It felt like I helped my team out. It was good for me because I liked scoring goals.”

Barthels has scored 34 goals on the season, the second-best total on the team, while recording 14 assists for a team-best 48 points.

She began playing in the fifth grade after attending a youth clinic put on by the American River Water Polo Club. She was drawn to the pool by her father, who was a swimmer, and the game grew on her. By the time she was 12, she was playing full time.

She shares the love of the game with her sister, Jennalyn. They are one of three sister pairs on the team.

“There have been some games where we are both in the pool and she has given me an assist,” said Barthels. “My mom was so excited. It was a great feeling.”

After playing with the club team in Davis, Barthels switched back to American River this summer to work with new coach Heather Moody. She has enjoyed playing for Moody.

“It is really different and I like it a lot,” said Barthels. “I worked with her over the summer and it was a completely different transition. It was a new slate and we got to start over. I think it really helped.”

Moody has seen the improvement over the season and Barthels has played some of her best water polo lately. She has scored in six straight games while tallying five goals during the three-game Sac-Joaquin Section run for the Troubadours.

“I think Brinnley has improved with her overall confidence in accepting her role and the fact that she is a goal scorer,” said Moody. “She is an offensive threat. At the beginning of the season, she was transitioning into taking that role and leadership. Now she has filled that role.”

Barthels and her teammates have a chance to finish the season off with a title. St. Francis beat Atwater in first round (17-3). They then posted wins over St. Marys (6-4) and Granite Bay (6-5) to reach the final against Davis.

“I think it would be awesome,” said Barthels, who has played in three straight section finals. “I have always wanted to win (a section title). I sat on the bench sophomore year and watched other girls graduate without a section title under their belts. It would be great to go from nothing to winning sections.”

St. Francis plays Davis at 2 p.m. at Woodcreek High School. The match will be streamed live online by PlayOn Sports.

The two schools have met for the section title each of the last nine seasons and 10 of the last 11 overall. Davis won 9-8 in 2012 on a late goal. The Troubadours have not won a section title since 2008 in water polo. St. Francis has won a section best 87 section titles in school history.

“I would love to see her play to her potential on Saturday,” said Moody. “She has been doing a great job. I want to make sure she is comfortable and confident approaching the game.”

As long as her pool entry is safe, she should be good to go.

St. Francis Water Polo Section Championship Notes

(18-12, DVL 4-1, 2nd)

Section History…

St. Francis will play Davis in the section final for the 10th consecutive season. The two schools have met for the section title each of the last nine seasons and 10 of the last 11 overall. Davis won 9-8 in 2012 on a late goal. The Troubadours have not won a section title since 2008 in water polo. St. Francis has won a section best 87 section titles in school history.

Balanced Scoring…

The Troubadours have 10 players who have scored 10 or more goals on the season led by 35 by Emily Reinl and 34 by Brinnley Barthels. Lauren Charter and Julie Zanobini had each registered 18 assists on the season.

Davis Connection…

Sophomore Maggie Oys and the Zanobini sisters each live in Davis and have played club in Davis until recently switching to play at American River under Moody.

Sister Act…

The Troubadours have three pairs of sisters on the varsity roster: Barthels, Zanobinis and the Reinls.