The UCSD women’s water polo team had an extraordinary showing at the Hawaii Rainbow Challenge this weekend. The Tritons now own a 15-8 record heading into the final stretch of the 2002 season.
However, the Tritons did not fare as well before the tournament when they struggled to a 2-3 record. Prior to the Hawaii tournament, on March 10, they suffered a heartbreaking 10-9 loss against Top 10-ranked Long Beach State University in triple sudden-death overtime.
“”We had many opportunities, but the shots just didn’t go in,”” said coach Larry Sanders. “”It was quite frustrating, but the girls felt good about how competitive they were.””
The tough matches continued for the Tritons. The weekend before the Rainbow Challenge, the team hosted four matches including a meeting with defending champion UCLA at Canyonview Pool on March 16. Overwhelmed and a bit intimidated by the Bruins, UCSD quickly fell behind and eventually lost 10-1. Sanders felt as though his team didn’t come out to play that game.
“”It was the first time this season that I thought [the team] did not play to their potential,”” he said.
Senior Emma Kudritzki added, “”To play against UCLA, you have to play without any fears, and we just didn’t have that mentality.””
After rebounding with consecutive wins against Princeton University (9-5) and UC Irvine (6-5), UCSD faced cross-town rival San Diego State University for the second time this season. While they were able to defeat the Aztecs 5-4 earlier in the year, SDSU turned the tables on the Tritons and defeated them by the same score, leaving the team on a down note and a 11-8 record at that point.
After finals week, the team traveled to Honolulu three days prior to its first match in the Rainbow Challenge. Kudritzki said this decision had a very positive effect on team’s chemistry because the girls enjoyed their vacation together for a couple days before getting down to business.
In their first game, the Tritons faced rival UC Davis. Led by sophomore Meris Bantilan-Smith’s two goals and a remarkable 13 saves by junior goalie Stephanie Lombardo, UCSD defeated the Aggies 6-4.
Sanders was satisfied with this important victory over a tough team like Davis.
“”We were in control for most of the game,”” he said. “”I felt our defense was just superb.””
Following the victory, the Tritons once again played UC Irvine. This marked the third meeting of the two schools this season, with the result no different than the previous two. UCSD toppled the Anteaters 7-4 with seniors Courtney Hemmerly and Kudritzki leading the way, scoring two goals each.
“”It felt like all the pieces were falling together,”” Kudritzki said. “”Everybody was playing so well.””
Building up momentum, the Tritons faced their toughest test of the weekend with a match against host Hawaii. A top 10-ranked team, the Rainbow Warriors gave UCSD all they could handle. But the Tritons were able to end the first period with a 3-2 lead.
They never looked back. With a tough, swarming defense, UCSD shut out Hawaii for the remainder of the game while adding two more goals to their total for an impressive 5-2 victory. Kudritzki once again scored two goals and junior Danielle Boyle added three assists.
“”Here’s one of the best teams of the country and we shut them out for three quarters,”” Sanders said. “”This team showed that they could challenge any team in the top 10.””
Finishing out the weekend, UCSD faced Brown University, which proved to be no match for the Tritons. Junior Samara Silverman scored three goals in a 6-2 romp over the Ivy League school.
With the victory, the Tritons clinched first place for the first time ever at the Rainbow Challenge. Kudritzki was awarded Most Valuable Player for the tournament and Bantilan-Smith earned a spot on the All-Tournament team.
With confidence riding high, the Tritons will finish the season on the road with the exception of a rubber match against San Diego State at Canyonview Pool. They will travel to the Bay Area this weekend to face San Jose State University, Santa Clara University, UC Santa Cruz and UC Davis.
Sanders believes his team is playing its best when it needs to be.
“”This weekend showed that the team is really coming together and playing very well,”” he said. “”Winning is team chemistry, and we have that.””
Kudritzki agreed, adding, “”This team has a great opportunity to make it to the Final Four, and it would be a disappointment not to reach that goal.””
