LOS ALAMITOS “”mdash; Sunday marked the end of an era for the UCLA women’s water polo team.
It was the last game for redshirt senior Kelly Rulon, who went out on top with the 109th victory of her career and a fourth national title.
“This is a great day for us, but it’s also a sad day,” coach Adam Krikorian said. “This is the last time I’ll get to coach Kelly. She is one of the greatest leaders I have ever had the opportunity to coach.”
Rulon did not score in the championship game, but her presence was certainly felt as she drew double-teams that left the UCLA perimeter shooters wide open. She was named MVP of the tournament.
Rulon finishes her career with an overall record of 109-13 and an undefeated record in the NCAA Championships. She had her third straight 70-goal season, leading the Bruins in both goals and assists.
In the first game of the NCAA Tournament against Pomona-Pitzer, Rulon became the all-time scoring leader at UCLA, breaking the record previously held by Bruin coach Coralie Simmons.
Rulon finished her career in Westwood with an outstanding 267 goals.
“I’m happy for Kelly,” Krikorian said. “It has been an honor to coach Kelly and Coralie. They are two of the most amazing players I have ever coached.”
Simmons could not help but be overjoyed for Rulon.
“I think it’s awesome,” Simmons said. “I’m excited for someone (like Kelly) to come around. Records are made to be broken.”
Even after receiving two standing ovations from the crowd, Rulon was shy to speak of her accomplishments.
“I didn’t come here to set records; at the end of the day we’re all here to win a national championship,” Rulon said. “I didn’t even realize I had broken the record until the fans started cheering.”
Rulon’s relationship with Simmons made the achievement even more remarkable.
“I don’t think breaking this record would have been as special if it hadn’t been Coralie’s,” Rulon said. “She was my idol when I was 14 and 15.”
Rulon is also poised to follow Simmons in earning another award in early June. Rulon is a finalist for the 2006-2007 Peter J. Cutino Award, given to the most outstanding male and female NCAA water polo players.
Simmons won the award in 2001, and since, no other female from UCLA has been honored.
Before the NCAA Tournament, Rulon was awarded Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Year, and she took home the MVP of the MPSF Tournament.
Aside from her remarkable 2007 season for UCLA, Rulon has been a contributing factor to three UCLA national NCAA titles (in 2003, 2005 and 2006), an Olympic Bronze medal in 2004, and the U.S. National Team.
UCLA water polo will no doubt feel the void left behind when Rulon is no longer in the water. She has proven herself to shine as a team leader as well as an example for her teammates.
With reports from Sam Allen, Bruin Sports senior staff.