As one of the few Division II sports programs on campus that competes against Division I opponents, the UCSD women’s water polo team challenges the best collegiate teams across the nation.
Facing a tough schedule featuring USC and Michigan, as well as Western Water Polo Association rivals Loyola Marymount and UC Davis, the team posted a 20-13 record for 2001 and a solid third-place finish in the WWPA. Coach Larry Sanders and his squad expect to raise the bar of accomplishment in this upcoming season.
“”We should be as good as last year,”” Sanders said. “”I expect us to win the league championship.””
He has good reason to feel confident. With only two seniors graduating last spring, the team stays virtually intact. Eleven players from the 2001 squad return for this season, eight of which saw significant playing time last year.
Key returning players include senior Emma Kruditzki, a two-year captain and leading scorer last year with 62 goals, junior Samara Silverman, who broke the team record for steals with 62 takeaways, and junior Dana Tucker, who Sanders feels has the potential to be one of the top players in Division II. Much is expected from this group, and they reflect the same feeling.
“”This very likely could be our best team during my four years here,”” Kruditzki said. “”It’s going to be up to the juniors and seniors to carry this team.””
Adding to this talented mix are new faces that will only improve a team already filled with experience. Sanders and his staff bring in eight new players for the 2002 season.
Immediate-impact players include junior college transfers Stephanie Lombardo and Elizabeth Keesey. Lombardo helped her college to back-to-back state championships during her tenure as goalie and is slated as a starter for this year. Keesey comes from Grossmont Junior College and brings valuable experience and depth to the team.
Sanders has also started building toward the future with six freshman members on his team. One of them is Jessica Wong, a speed and defensive-skills specialist who is just happy to be a part of the squad.
“”I feel that playing at this level is a dream,”” she said. “”I never thought I would be here and now that I am, it’s unbelievable.””
A tougher schedule than last year awaits the Triton women’s water polo team. The season starts Feb. 8 at home against Hartwick College.
Key match-ups include home games against Michigan (Feb. 27), Princeton (March. 16), San Diego State (March 17 and April 19), Long Beach State (Mach 10), and UC Santa Barbara (Feb. 15).
The Tritons will face league rival UC Davis on the road, as well as visit Long Beach State, San Jose State and Santa Clara. For this squad, they will be aiming particularly at their league rivals.
“”Every game gets us prepared for LMU and UC Davis,”” Kruditzki stated.
Added Sanders: “”They are our biggest obstacles to the [WWPA] championship.””
Also scheduled is a home game against the defending national champion UCLA (March 16). When asked about playing a team as talented as UCLA, Kruditzki simply said, “”You only get better playing the best.””
With the start of the season less than two weeks away, things are looking bright for the Triton women. The excitement and unity on the team can be felt among its players.
“”I think the team has really come together during these past couple of weeks,”” Wong said. “”We’ve improved a lot since fall practice and the chemistry is really flowing through the team right now.””
Kruditzki agreed with her.
“”I love this group of girls and we’re winners no matter how the season turns out,”” she said.
Sanders summed it all up by stating, “”Here is an opportunity [for UCSD] to watch top athletes compete at a top level.””
