WATER POLO: Locals can't rally U.S. past Russia at Junior World Championships

Harvard-Westlake of Studio City junior Ashley Grossman scored for the U.S. women's junior national team in a 15-11 loss Sunday to host Russia in Group D competition at the FINA Junior World Championships in Khanty-Mansisyk.

UCLA-bound Brooke Martin and USC signee Dominique Sardo led the Americans with three goals each. Stanford-bound Annika Dries and Monte Vista of Danville junior Maggie Steffens scored two apiece.

The U.S. -- also featuring Alemany of Mission Hills graduate and Loyola Marymount signee Erin Manke -- played the Russians to a 2-2 tie at the end of the first quarter, but the host team outscored the Americans in each of the final three quarters.

The Americans will look to rebound Monday against Brazil, which suffered an 18-2 loss Sunday to the Netherlands.

In other pool-play matches, South Africa defeated Uzbekistan 15-8; Hungary beat New Zealand 15-9; Italy defeated Kazakhstan 15-7; Australia held off Spain 11-9 and Canada beat Germany 15-6.