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Laguna Beach’s powerhouse girls water polo program has produced several championships and standout players in recent years, including a trio of Olympic gold medalists.

Now, the success has delivered a coach at an important juncture.

Former All-County utility player Claire Sonne has been selected as Laguna Beach’s coach replacing veteran Ethan Damato, athletic director Denise Selbe confirmed Tuesday.

Damato resigned in April to accept a position as the head coach of USA Water Polo’s Olympic Development Program Academy.

Damato led the Breakers’ girls to six CIF-SS championships, including one in 2017 that included Sonne as a senior on a team that finished 31-0. She played along side Olympian Aria Fischer and left-hander Bella Baldridge among others that season.

Incredibly humbled & grateful for this opportunity to lead @lagunagirlspolo. Thank you to @ethandamato11 and the entire Laguna Beach Water Polo community for paving the way and creating an amazing legacy. Have a feeling this is going to be a special year. Time to get to work! https://t.co/SaJ7fnhHge

— Claire Sonne (@ClaireSonne) June 1, 2022

Sonne went to play four years at Cal, earning third-team All-American honors. She has coached with the SET club and assisted with the Cal State Northridge women.

Sonne inherits a Laguna Beach squad that could again contend for the CIF-SS Open Division title this upcoming season. The squad returns goalie Lauren Schneider, attacker Ava Knepper and center Charlotte Riches among others.

The Breakers lost in the Open Division final to Newport Harbor.

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Laguna Beach also announced that former Breakers standout Camron Hauer, who won CIF titles playing for Damato, will takes the reins of the boys program. Hauer played college water polo at Cal Lutheran.

In the fall, the Breakers reached the Open Division playoffs, falling to Newport Harbor in the first round.