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2002 Women's Water Polo
Team Previews
By Jerry Hannula *
No. 1, ORANGE COAST
The Orange Coast Pirates became just the third team in the six-year history
of California Community College Women's Water Polo to win a State Title and
they did so without losing to any community college teams. The Pirates' lost
four All-Americans off of last year's team, including state co-MVP's Neisha
Hoagland (LMU) and Devon Wright (LMU). Coach Mike Giles will still have plenty
left to defend his title, starting with All-American goalie Heather Deyden and
All-SoCal performers Nicole Sonnenfeld and Erica Nicholson in the field. The
Pirates, once again, boast one of the best recruiting classes as Giles picked
up seven more All-CIF players, five of which were their high school MVP.
No. 3, SIERRA
The Wolverines may have lost their top drivers, NorCal MVP Sara
Christensen and All-American Jen Bedwell, from last year's squad but the offense
still remains potent with All-Americans Kandace Waldthaler and Courtney Clevenger.
Sophomore Catherine Flynn was an All-NorCal pick as a driver last year and she
and April Nelson will fill the void left by Christensen and Bedwell. In the
net, Megan Icanberry was among the state leaders in saves last year and is back
for her sophomore campaign.Coach
Scott Decker has reloaded with freshmen drivers Jenny Stephanopoulos and Marisa
Fernandez, as well as utility players Stacey Derrick and Abby Lacheur.
No. 4, RIVERSIDE
The heart of last year's team has transferred, but don't start feeling
sorry for Coach Jim Dopf. His Tigers return All-American Royce Rahn (38 goals)
and All-OEC pick Brittany Talanico (14 goals), who will offset the departure
of SoCal MVP Katie Davis (ASU) and All-Americans Amy Davis and Jennifer Nelson.
The Tigers began last season with 20 straight wins, but ended the season 12-6
and in second place at the state championships. All-CIF freshmen Ann Borunda,
Amy de Jonckheere and Heidi Stephens will also fill in nicely and keep the Tigers
near the top of the pack.
No. 5, MERCED
The Blue Devils were the only community college team to threaten Orange Coast's
march to the title. The Pirates beat them by one in the state semifinal game.
The Blue Devils lost two-meter guard extraordinaire Amanda Rucker and high scoring
driver Kristi Rose (57 goals), but have the state's Top Gun Genaye Mowrer (126
goals) back in the fold. They also return All-American Nicole Hall (236 saves)
in the goal and All-American Kristen Franz (42 goals) in the field. Coach Bill
Halpin has put together some great recruiting classes in the past, but this
year's might be his best. Drivers Leslie Jackson and Sasha Verage were their
respective league MVPs and utility player Brooke Eisner gives the Blue Devils
another All-San Joaquin League first-teamer. Kirstin Eberle will fill in as
the two-meter guard and Jenny Halpin, Lyz Butticci and Lisa Rucker will add
depth.
No. 6, GOLDEN WEST
The Rustlers were 21-9 last season and advanced to the playoffs in a season
that would make most programs proud. But it was considered a down year for the
four-time state champions. The Rustlers lost All-Americans Gaby Garcia and Lesha
Bounds, but should be prepared to make a run back to the top this fall. All-OEC
sophomores Christi Stone and Mary Avery are back with a year of experience under
their belt and the Rustlers will bring back a bit of the championship past in
the goal. They will start 1998 State MVP Melody Warren in the nets. Coach John
Wright will still count heavily on his freshmen, especially CIF MVP Patty Cardenas.
Fellow freshmen Jennifer MacDonell, Anna Avila, Stephanie Shafer and Audrey
Elo each bring all-league credentials into their first college season.
No. 7, Mt. SAN ANTONIO
Last fall, the Mounties knocked the four-time defending state champion Golden
West Rustlers out of the playoffs and finished sixth at the state tournament.
The loss of superstar Miranda Paulson and fellow All-American Jen Guerena will
leave a big hole in the Mounties' line up. All-American Michelle Abeyta and
All-SCC driver Becky Laird will have to step up as sophomores to defend their
SCC crown from the improved Long Beach City squad.
Freshman Tina Torres will move into the two-meter spot and freshmen Marissa
Garcia and Natalie Hernandez will round out the offense. Lauren Cooper is expected
to be in the goal.
No. 8, SAN DIEGO MESA
The Olympians were a solid 20-10 last season and should be better this year
with the return of 2000 All-American Delma Mora. All-PCC driver Alicia Weider
and All-PCC defender Breanne McCarthy will give them a strong sophomore core
that should be able to compensate for the loss of All-American defender Kristy
Chavers.
Kristy Rustin and Bichele Rodich should both be big time performers for the
Olympians and freshman Kimberly Fortune will battle with sophomore Olivia Bruntsch
for time in the goal.
No. 10, CUESTA
All-American Courtney Christy (Pacific) was the only major loss off of the Cougars'
2001 squad that was loaded with freshmen. All-SoCal selection Katie Dacus (58
goals) will return at set along with Kelli Lyons, who transferred from UOP to
complete the swap for Christy. The Cougars will have some experience at the
driver position with 1999 All-SoCal pick Mary Knudson (Benson) (54 goals), 2000
All-WSC pick Anna Kalkowski (36 goals) and 2001 All-WSC pick Crystal Hendricks
(41 goals) all in the line up for 2002. Sophomores Iliana Pruneda (24 goals)
and MaryAnn Miller should add size and strength at set. Goalie Meghan McKelvey
set every Cuesta mark last fall and is back in the nets this year.
Freshmen G'na Garcia and Alex Davis will make an immediate impact in the field
and All-American Elizabeth Brown will push McKelvey in goal.
OTHERS...
FULLERTON
The Hornets knocked Cuesta out of the playoffs last fall but have a
tough time dealing with the shadow cast by the top three in the OEC. The Hornets
lost All-American Jessica Durkin and Nicole Gigante, but will return All-OEC
selections Megan Hansen and Sharece Matthews. Pete Snyder's squad will lean
on his recruiting class this fall as they battle in the toughest conference
in the state. Caroline Morrison, Jolene Wagner and Paulette More each bring
all-league status from local high schools and Katie Parrish makes her way down
to Fullerton from Snyder's former stomping grounds in Santa Barbara. The quartet
should blend nicely with his returnees to move the Hornets back into the Top
10.
SADDLEBACK
A new era is beginning in Mission Viejo as Jennifer Higginson takes over the
reigns for the Gauchos. Sophomore Jessica Araujo is the only starter back this
fall and the loss of All-Americans Christy Schori and Lesley Merlo will weigh
on the young unit, in what the new coach refers to as a rebuilding year. Laurel
Rodin and Kristina Heather will both find a spot in the tank and Jessica Hardie
will be in the nets.
SOUTHWESTERN
Coach Jeffi Harper's unit was hit hard by graduation with the loss of
All-American Camie Waggoner and three other key starters. All-American goalie
Briana McCauley (252 saves) will have her work cut out for her with a young
group playing in front of her. Freshman driver Neshmil Ariy is expected to be
the team's impact freshman.
L.A. VALLEY
The Monarchs lost top scorer Byanca Delgadillo (55 goals), but return four All-WSC
picks for the 2002 campaign. First-team choice Amanda Basa will anchor a tank
full of talent with Jennifer Durmandan, Erin Knowles and Sabrina Delaba back
in the water.
All-CIF freshmen Jesse Stiles and Megan Winchell will move from
Crescenta Valley HS to the starting line up.
EL CAMINO
El Camino has put together a solid group for a playoff run this fall.
They are led by All SoCal player Lara Williams and a pair All-SCC
performers, Stephanie Van Diepen and Katie Steiner. Sophomore Katie Hill should
also blend into the mix for 2002. First-year goalie Jill Herbert should see
plenty of action between the pipes, while fellow newcomers Allyson Steiner,
Jennifer Tucker, Chrisi Whitney and Jana Wianecki will also vie for playing
time.
GROSSMONT
Coach Larry Larsen moved south and across gender lines this year from the Saddleback
men's team to the Grossmont women's team. Larsen takes over the head spot at
Grossmont vacated by Jennifer Higginson, who moved up to Saddleback. Larsen
lost the top two scorers off a 10-20 squad, Wendy Konald (75 goals) and Nicole
Hamilton (41 goals), but still expects to be fighting for a spot in the top
10. Tomilyn Sedler (22 goals) and Shannon McGuire will give him a veteran base
to work with. Larsen's first recruiting class will fill his basic needs for
the next two years with Kristy Hall in goal, Candace Stasch at two-meters and
Michelle Vincent at driver.
CANYONS
Canyons enters its fourth season ready to make a move on the rest of the WSC.
The Cougars lost Hayley Jones (18 goals) and Gina Casey (11 goals) from last
year's squad, but will still rely heavily on their returnees. Christine Castellano
(10 goals) was an All-WSC selection and will be counted on to lead the unit
this fall. The Cougars are still trying to figure out how to deal with the unexpected
loss of Naamah Ussery (68 saves) in goal.
RIO HONDO
The Roadrunners remain one of only three teams to have won a state title and
may be ready to break out of their recent rebuilding process. Mike Hinze returns
Helen Loy and Ima Sepulveda from a team that went 12-18 last year.
Freshmen Kristin Wright, Jennifer Cervantes, Jackie Comman, Bala Cosar and Leah
Keehmer should also add to the team's production as first-year players.
SACRAMENTO CITY
The Panthers lost two of the most productive players in their program with the
graduation of goalie Greta Brewerbakken (116 saves), who we are very happy to
have space for her full name (finally) and leading scorer Jax Hanistis (62 goals).
Lim Chong, Autumn Kane and Janell Niemi remain to give the squad some sophomore
leadership. The Panthers could be a force this fall, but will be a little green.
The roster includes 13 freshmen, led by Ruth Adams and Amber Haverstock.
SANTA ROSA
Santa Rosa finished the 2001 season with a solid 11-11 mark, but should be much
stronger this fall. All-NorCal pick Heather Van Hemert (39 goals) returns with
all -conference selections Sarah Beddingfield (50 saves) and Terra Lathrop (16
goals) to anchor the team. Beddingfield will have the job to herself with the
graduation of Nadine Raymond, but Lathrop and Van Hemert will have to help pick
up the slack with the graduation of leading scorer Kendra Klein (58 goals).
Freshmen Samantha Moore, Megan Halavais and Chelsea Henman should help solidify
the roster.
* Information supplied
by Jerry Hannula of the Community College Water Polo Poll & Newsletter.
For subscription information, please call (949) 582-4490 or write to: jhannula@saddleback.edu
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