SEASON PREVIEW: WOMEN'S WATER POLO LOOKING TO STAND ALONE
LOS ANGELES — This year the Occidental College women's water polo team doesn't want to share anything.
While they've enjoyed a successful two-year stretch, highlighted by two SCIAC tournament championship appearances and a co-SCIAC championship last season, they've yet to win the conference outright.
Last year, it appeared as though Oxy was the dominant team after cruising through SCIAC play with a perfect 9-0 record. The Tigers went into the SCIAC Tournament as the heavy favorite and after wins against Cal Tech and Pomona-Pitzer in the first two rounds, a berth to the NCAA National Championships looked promising.
Unfortunately Redlands had other plans, and after a thrilling triple sudden-death overtime marathon, it was the Bulldogs punching their ticket to the postseason.
The two teams were crowned co-conference champions based on their overall season points, including the regular season standing and postseason finish.
This year their goal will be simple: stand alone atop the SCIAC standings and earn a trip to NCAA Championships.
It's a bit of unfinished business the Tigers are looking to take care of in 2012.
"I think we came into last season pretty hungry, right now I'd say we're starving. We're a very motivated and hard working group," said Corrine Casey (Lodi), senior co-captain. "So for us, this season is just another great opportunity to test ourselves and push the envelope."
Coming off one of the best seasons in the history of the program, Oxy returns four All-SCIAC players and two NCAA All-Americans, along with plenty of young talent that could push the team over the top.
Senior Co-Captain Tessa Bailey-Findley (Anaheim Hills) and juniors Rachel Adeleye (Elizabeth, NJ) and Nanea Fujiyama (Honolulu, HI) join Casey as the four 2011 standouts that will lead Oxy this season. Adeleye, the team's goalie, and Fujiyama each earned All-America awards in 2011.
Standing in their way, is one of the most evenly matched conferences in the nation.
Eight of the top 10 teams in the national pre-season poll are SCIAC schools, with Redlands and Pomona-Pitzer starting at No. 1 and No. 2 respectively. Oxy opens the 2012 season No. 3, followed by Claremont-McKenna, Cal Lutheran, Whittier, Chapman, and La Verne. Rounding out the top 10 are Carthage College and Grove City College.
It's a strong conference, no doubt, but nothing new for Oxy coach Larry Zubrin and the Tigers.
"The parity in the SCIAC is one of the things I love about coaching at this level. Our conference has produced four different champions in each of the last four years. Most other conferences in the country have one or two teams that dominate and everyone else is just hoping to get into the top four," Zubrin said. "It's exciting for our student-athletes to know that no matter where they're ranked at the outset of the season, they come in with a legitimate chance to win a championship every year."
The Tigers do have some holes to fill in 2012. Gone are the trio of Rebecca Hofer, Karie Nickle, and Julie Monday. Monday was a former Team MVP (2010) and two time All-SCIAC /All-American player while Nickle also won an MVP award (2011) and was a four time All-SCIAC / All-American. To fill the holes, Zubrin will rely on a roster containing more depth than ever.
"I think in past years we've relied a lot more on the top end talent, this year will be a little different. We still have some great talent leading this team, but our real strength is our depth," Zubrin said. "We have an excellent group of second and third year players who have some valuable experience under their belt. I think the performance of that group will be pivotal to our success this season."
