Author: Michael Smith
The season has been a somewhat dry one for the women’s water polo team. However, despite four consecutive losses at the hands of several Division I teams, the women are rallying themselves and intend to use these season-opener defeats as valuable lessons toward future improvement.
“We’re off to a bit of a slow start this season having lost our first four games, but I’ve actually been very encouraged with our improvement in each game,” Coach Larry Zubrin said. “The girls have played very well and our challenging early season schedule will prepare us well for SCIAC play.” So far, the team has lost two matches at the Riverside Cal Baptist Tournament against Azusa Pacific and Cal St. San Bernardino, and two at the Bakersfield Mini Tournament against Santa Clara and University of the Pacific.
The absence of seasoned players on the team has contributed to this somewhat shaky start. Tess Bailey-Findley (sophomore) feels the team’s lack of age diversification is a weakness. “Because we have no seniors, our team lacks experience,” she said. However, what the team lacks in veteran players, it possesses in enthusiasm for the game. “Everyone on the team has a lot of heart and loves the sport of Water Polo,” Izzy Mayer (first-year) said in an e-mail interview. “That is probably the greatest advantage/strength a team can ever have . . . we’re all in it for the thrill of the game.”
As the team gets more acquainted with each other, their cohesion in the pool will hopefully translate into better scores and a better overall record. “The team is starting to gel very well,” Zubrin said. “Speed will play a vital role in our offense as we plan to be a fast-break oriented team this season, and hopefully that will lead to some high scoring games.”
Competing in seven conference games at the end of the season, the women are priming for play against some solid teams. “The SCIAC provides tough competition with players that have a good amount of experience at the collegiate level,” Bailey-Findley said.
The season is abundant in classic Oxy rivalries, including Cal Lutheran University and rival Whittier College. If the women hope to earn a national title, they must defeat these stalwart rivals as well as a string of competitive teams ranging from UC Berkeley to Pomona Pitzer.
According to Coach Zubrin’s philosophy, the team’s victory is as contingent on becoming a physically potent force in the pool as much as it is on playing the game as a unified team. Members of the team must continually strive for improvement. Zubrin believes that if the team keeps these two goals in mind, they are sure to perform well.
“I believe success is measured in the effort put forth to achieve a specific goal,” Zubrin said. “Our athletes must hold themselves to the highest standards and understand that once a plateau is reached, a new plateau is immediately raised for them to strive for.”
The team’s next game is on Feb. 27 against Grove City College. Their first game on Oxy’s turf is on March 11 vs Cal St. Northridge.
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