Monday, September 22, 1997 Shooting for the third time MENS:
Coming off back-to-back NCAA National Championships, the team looks
forward to another season of competition.
By Lisa Quon
Daily Bruin Contributor
The season looks bright for the 1997 UCLA men’s water polo team.
With the enthusiasm and talent of this youthful squad, their goal
of making it to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament and winning
the national championship is within reach.
The expectations are certainly high this year, after head coach
Guy Baker led both his ’95 and ’96 squads to back-to-back
championships. However, Baker takes it all in stride.
"Each season is new, not a carry-over from the last one, so we
don’t worry about the past," Baker says. "We simply strive to win
every game, and success will take care of itself."
All said, the Bruins remain hungry for another national title.
They still dream the same dream every year. "It’s to get to the
NCAA tournament, then win it. We’ll do whatever it takes to get
there," Baker says.
With all the talent that UCLA’s league, the Mountain Pacific
Sports Federation (MPSF) teams have this year, the Bruins must play
competitively every game to capture the league title, which
includes powerhouses such as preseason top ranked California, along
with Pepperdine, Stanford and USC. Since only two teams from the
MPSF can earn an invitation to the four-team NCAA tournament, every
conference match is crucial.
Last year, the Bruins defeated cross-town rival USC for the 1996
title. The team, however, does not focus on the past but instead
looks ahead to this season.
"Our main focus is just to improve each game," redshirt junior
Eric Helfer says. "When we eventually play really great team water
polo, then we can shift our focus to the NCAA tournament."
This season promises to be exciting, as many new faces enter the
team’s line-up. Baker hopes to give as many players valuable
experience through playing time as he possibly can. This comes
after the team lost four All-Americans from last year’s squad,
including two-time Player of the Year Matt Swanson and Olympic
alternate Jim Toring.
Baker has high hopes for this young team. "Our team has the most
natural physical talent of any I’ve coached since I’ve been here.
Their speed and quickness is amazing."
The Bruins’ experience lies in their play making and attacking
positions, but the Bruins will utilize their speed to compensate
for inexperience at the two-meter and goal keeping positions. Above
all, the squad has heart and great team chemistry.
"In all the years I’ve been here, as a player and a coach, we
haven’t had one problem with team chemistry," assistant coach Adam
Krikorian says. "That’s the reason why we’re so successful. We just
enjoy playing water polo together."
Senior co-captains Steve Covec and Brett Stern will lead the
squad this year. Covec is the most celebrated of the returning
players, having started every game but one in his three-year
career. He is most credited with leading fast breaks and converting
six-on-five advantages.
Stern is touted as the best defensive player, receiving the
toughest assignments every game. In a commitment during the
off-season, Stern decided to physically work on improving his
offense for a more well-rounded game. The oldest member of the
squad at 23, Stern brings experience that will likely have a
positive impact on the entire squad.
Sophomore Brian Bent is an explosive combination of offensive
and defensive two-meter playing. He is expected to build upon what
proved to be a spectacular freshman year.
Along with a wealth of talented sophomores and juniors, fans and
opponents alike have their eye on freshmen Nick Hill and Sean Kern.
Kern is regarded as the No. 1 overall recruit in the nation, coming
from the prestigious Hawaiian League. Hill is the No. 1 goalkeeper
recruit, and will vie for the position that Swanson left open with
three other goalies.
No matter how the Bruins fare this season, the team will no
doubt walk away with valuable experience.
"I think the most satisfying thing as a coach is to teach
players and see the results applied in practice and games,"
assistant coach Krikorian said.
The Bruins are 2-0 since they opened the season at the Triton
Tournament in San Diego a few weeks ago. They beat Air Force
soundly with a score of 21-0 and UC San Diego 9-5.
Their first home match takes place on Sept. 26 against UC Santa
Barbara in their first MPSF conference match of the season.
Daily Bruin file photo
Driver Matt Armato gets ready to shoot for a goal during a match
last year.
Daily Bruin file photo
Head coach Guy Baker gives his team instructions during one of
their matches last year.