M. POLO Saturday, Sunday Tournament at USC
If the UCLA men’s water polo team is to win this
weekend’s Southern California Tournament, the team will have
to overcome a familiar opponent and what could potentially be one
of the most challenging draws ever handed out at a tournament.
To quote junior center Marco Santos, “the hard way is the
best way, right?”
The Bruins will open their slate of four games against Stanford
on Saturday. Although the Bruins have already defeated the Cardinal
twice this season, 7-6 at this season’s Northern California
Tournament and 10-8 in both team’s conference opener played
at the Rose Bowl two weeks ago, Stanford is coming into the game
fresh off of a 11-9 upset win over No. 2 California. Meanwhile,
UCLA enters the tournament on the heels of last week’s 13-12
loss to UC San Diego.
According to coach Adam Krikorian, the recent history should
help sharpen the Bruins’ focus heading into the Stanford
game.
“We’re getting ready for Stanford as a team, as a
whole,” he said. “I think (the upset over Cal) opens
the team’s eyes up a little bit. Cal’s extremely
talented, and it opens their eyes up as to the damage a team like
Stanford can do.”
Junior utility player Justin Johnson echoed Krikorian’s
sentiments, adding that the results of the two earlier games puts
even more pressure on the Bruins to be mentally prepared.
“Any time you play a team twice you know their tendencies,
and it usually creates a pretty good defensive battle,” he
said. “I mean, I know what most of their guys are going to
do, and they know what most of our guys are going to do. It’s
the slight adjustments you’re going to make in your game
that’ll give you the edge.”
Particularly lacking in the loss to UCSD was the Bruins’
defense. Consequently, Krikorian has made that a point of emphasis
heading into the weekend. In practice, at least, he’s been
pleased with the progress his team has made.
“It’s been good, it’s been very good,”
Krikorian said. “This week we’re much sharper than we
were last week. I feel a lot better about what we’re doing
and how we’re playing, and I think (the team’s) just
playing with a lot more pride in how they’re playing
defense.”
After Stanford, UCLA will take on Long Beach State later in the
day. Depending on the results of Saturday’s games, the Bruins
could potentially face Cal and top-ranked USC on Sunday. Although
excited by the possibility of those later games, the Bruins
aren’t forgetting about the 49ers.
“We can’t overlook anyone,” Krikorian said.
“This game is too difficult to play to put in 90 percent
effort. If you only put in 90 percent effort you’re leaving
yourself vulnerable to getting beat. We need to play with 100
percent effort and 100 percent intelligence during the whole course
of the weekend.”
Between Stanford, Cal, and USC, UCLA will possibly take on three
of their primary rivals, as well as three teams currently ranked in
the top six in the nation. Although it makes for one of the most
difficult draws, it’s also an opportunity the Bruins are
looking forward to.
“Personally, I’m excited,” Johnson said.
“It’s a hell of an opportunity to play those three
teams in one weekend. If everything goes well and we win, we beat
them all, well, nobody’s ever done that before. Especially in
two straight days.”
The Bruins’ game against Stanford is scheduled to begin at
1:20 p.m. Saturday at the Commerce pool. Their game against Long
Beach State, also at Commerce, is scheduled for 5:20 p.m. Depending
on the results of those games, the Bruins are scheduled to play
their final two games at the SoCal Tournament on Sunday, either at
USC’s McDonald’s Swim Stadium or the Coliseum Pool.