For the UCLA women’s dive team, a trip to College Station, Texas to compete in the Texas A&M Invitational starting tomorrow may very well indicate the team’s progress going into the deeper part of the season.
Stanford, Cal, LSU, Purdue, Ohio State and Michigan are just a few of the top schools scheduled to compete in what should be a brutally competitive meet.
“Some of the best coaches and athletes in the country are going to be there,” dive coach Tom Stebbins said. “It’s a pretty complete list. Texas A&M knows how to defend their own pool and they do a good job at home.”
Throughout the week, the team worked relentlessly in the gym and completed drills in preparation for the biggest test so far this year.
“We’ve worked pretty hard,” Stebbins said. “But I’m really pleased with how well we’re progressing and how hard we’ve worked to get ready.”
After back-to-back dual meets against Arizona State and Arizona in addition to the intense practices held throughout the week, fatigue may play a role in the team’s performance over the next few days.
“They’re obviously fatigued from practice and the (Arizona State and Arizona) meets, which is expected, but I think we’ll be fine,” Stebbins said.
Though the team did not pull out a victory against Arizona, Stebbins said he believes that the team can build on the individual performances going into the big invitational.
“I’m really encouraged with the performances I saw with the divers going into both Friday and Saturday,” Stebbins said.
“I’m pleased with the level of discipline I’ve seen in the past two days.”
Senior Marisa Samaniego, who led the team in scoring and qualified for NCAA Zone E Championships with her marks on the 1M and 3M dives over the weekend, will be a valuable asset to the Bruins.
Joining Samaniego are seniors Brittany Hill and Tess Schofield, sophomore Morgan Erpenbeck, and freshman Alyssa Robinson.
“I’m looking forward to them maintaining their discipline and being clear-minded while they’re competing giving them the best shot they can with the tools they have,” Stebbins said.
For some divers, tomorrow’s invitational will not be the last they see of College Station.
The 28th Annual Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships will also be held at Texas A&M this March.
Stebbins believes the team will make even greater leaps between now and then.
“I don’t think we’re nearly at the level we are going to be at the end of the year,” he said.
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