Last season, driver Courtney Mathewson was like most players on
a team that was expected to win a national title. As a freshman on
the women’s water polo team, she sat and watched from the
bench. Her playing time consisted mostly of getting her feet wet
against below-par teams and blowouts. Yet one year later,
Mathewson, who has seen action in every game and has scored eight
goals on the season, has made considerable contributions for the
third-ranked Bruins (21-3, 8-1 MPSF). “Last year I think I
learned a lot just from watching,” Mathewson said. “It
really helped me improve as a player. This year I think I really
stepped up my role from last year because I’m getting that
playing time to show what I can do. “I’m looking to
help out my team in any way I can whenever I’m called.”
Aside from the play of Mathewson, UCLA coach Adam Krikorian was
also quick to mention the play of freshman driver Tanya Gandy, who
has scored 19 goals on the season. “She’s really come
on the last month and a half, she’s also another kid that is
fearless,” he said. “Those are the type of kids that
you need in the fourth quarter. Although those two players
aren’t the most experienced, I see a lot of talented things
in them.” More playing time leads to more expectations,
however, and junior co-captain Kelly Rulon expects that of her
teammates. With just three games remaining in the season and a
match against No. 2 Stanford (18-3, 9-1) on Saturday, Rulon knows
how important it will be for these role players to step up their
play. “I think we always expect a lot out of our freshmen, no
matter who they are and how much playing time they get,”
Rulon said. “The expectations were there, and (Courtney and
Tanya) are doing a nice job. But they need to get a little more
confidence because they’re great players but I feel like
they’re underestimating their talent. “Courtney needs
to be a little more aggressive and I tell her that all the
time.”
MPSF ROUND UP: According to the Water Polo
Coaches Association, USC remains at No. 1 in the polls with 100
points. The Trojans have an undefeated record of 22-0. No. 4
Hawai’i, who is just one point behind No. 3 LMU, plays at USC
this Friday. The No. 5 seed is one of the most hotly contested with
only one point separating No. 5 Hawai’i and No. 6
California.
USA TO HOLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS: USA Water
Polo President Rich Foster announced Tuesday that the United States
has won the bid to host the 2007 FINA Men’s World Junior
Water Polo Championships. The Junior World Championships will
consist of 24 of the top water polo teams from around the world and
will take place at Long Beach State and the USA Water Polo National
Training Center in Los Alamitos, Aug. 19-27, 2007.