A blow to the head will keep sophomore Amber Stachowski out of
the pool for a while, but academic issues could sideline the UCLA
center defender for much longer. Stachowski, who took an elbow from
a teammate in practice last week, is academically ineligible for
the rest of the quarter. Her status will be reevaluated at the end
of the quarter. “The most important thing for Amber is for
her to take care of her studies, academics and to get healthy at
the same time,” UCLA coach Adam Krikorian said. “Amber
could be one of the most talented players we have on the team. …
This will certainly be a loss. She’d be a loss to any team,
even a team as talented as ours.” The immediate concern for
Stachowski, an integral member of the 2004 USA women’s water
polo that captured the bronze medal at the Olympics, is the blow to
the head. Stachowski has had reoccurring headaches in the past, the
most serious effects stemming from an automobile accident two years
ago. “I’ve been looking forward to the past two years
to come back and play for UCLA,” Stachowski said.
“Everything was going well and then I got hit in the head.
It’s more like I want to come back and play and get better
but with a concussion it just takes time, and there’s nothing
I can do to speed up the recovery.”
JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS: On the biggest stage for women’s
junior water polo, five Bruins helped the United States defeat
Russia 11-9 to capture its second straight championship in the FINA
Junior Women’s World Championships this past Sunday.
Sophomores Emily Feher, Kacy Kunkel and Molly Cahill, and freshmen
Gabrielle Domanic and Jillian Kraus endured a two-week stretch in
which they faced some of the top young water polo players in the
world. After squeaking by Australia, 5-4, in the semifinals, Team
USA found itself playing from behind 6-4, heading into the second
half against Russia. But with the arm of Domanic, who was a member
of the 2004 Olympic Team, and her five goals, the U.S. was able to
take the lead in the third period and hold on for the gold medal.
“I definitely have a lot more confidence shooting in games,
and I just promised myself that we would not lose this game to
Russia,” said Domanic, who was selected as an All-Worlds
member. Domanic led Team USA with 15 goals, tied for fourth most in
the Junior World Championships. Feher, the captain of the team,
finished with 40 saves, third best.
INJURY UPDATE: Sophomore driver Jenny Murphy will also sit out
for six days after suffering from a concussion during practice.