UCLA women’s water polo was in almost the exact the same position a year ago.
The 2014 UCLA team was coming off a benchmark win over then-No. 2 Stanford in the UCI Invitational. But in the very next game, the momentum from that Stanford win was gone, as UCLA lost to then-No. 1 USC, 7-6, in overtime.
Flash forward to this year’s season and the Bruins are faced with a similar situation.
They are fresh off another breakthrough win over the Cardinal in last weekend’s UCI Invitational. The win brought UCLA to No. 1 in the Collegiate Water Polo Association Top 20 poll for the first time since April 2012. But now UCLA turns its focus to No. 9 San Jose State, wary of a repeat of last year’s post-Stanford letdown.
“The fear is there. But all year long our focus has been on trying to give 100 percent at all times and we haven’t been successful at giving a 100 percent at all times,” said coach Brandon Brooks. “Going into the weekend we were considered about making sure we were consistent with our effort levels and that’s still a goal coming out. San Jose is an excellent opponent.”
Though UCLA did not lose to the four ranked teams it faced at the UCI Invitational, Brooks said that there are plenty of things the team can do better – such as counter attacks and six-on-five opportunities.
“We have momentum, but I don’t know if our momentum is that high. We didn’t accomplish anything (by beating Stanford),” Brooks said. “This is a part of season and obviously getting wins and playing well is important to us, but I would hope that we’re not that high off these wins because we won a couple games. We didn’t win any trophy of any sort.”
San Jose State (12-4) has yet to drop a game at home and is averaging 11.5 goals a game. The Bruins are averaging 12.6 goals a game and have managed to hold each of its opponents to single-digit scoring, with the exception of a 10-6 loss to the Cardinal on Feb. 1.
Senior attacker Danielle Ferraro said that the Bruins are confident going into Sunday’s game. However, there are key aspects of their game that they need to focus on in facing the Spartans.
“I think we had a good weekend so that feeds us into a good week of practice,” Ferraro said. “Our team defense and communicating a lot on offense and defense both in our counter attack will benefit us in facing San Jose,” Ferraro said.
Junior attacker Kodi Hill echoed Ferraro’s sentiment on the importance of communication in Sunday’s game. Hill said the Spartans have many experienced players, so talking through where they are in the pool at all times and talking through their defense and offense will be huge. Hill explained if the communication is there, they will be more successful.
“We can’t expect (last weekend) to lead us into something,” Hill said.”We are going to have to work just as hard this week to win this week’s game.”
Sunday’s game against the Spartans begins Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play for both teams. To get a win against San Jose would not only improve UCLA’s overall record to 15-1, but would also give the team a head start in its run for the conference title. UCLA will begin MPSF play with the conference player of the week on its side, as junior attacker Charlotte Pratt recieved that honor Tuesday.