The UCLA women’s water polo team enters this weekend as the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation champions with hopes of earning an even greater title.
No. 1 UCLA (24-2) will begin its run to the NCAA championship Friday at Stanford’s Avery Aquatic Center with a game against No. 20 UC San Diego (19-18).
A victory on Friday would pit the Bruins against either the California Golden Bears or the UC Irvine Anteaters on Saturday in the NCAA semifinal.
UCLA’s most recent win over Cal came during the MPSF championship game on April 26. The game was close throughout, with the Bruins eventually winning 9-8. Cal earned its spot in the MPSF title game by way of an upset over then-No. 1 Stanford in the MPSF semifinal.
During the MPSF championship, the Bruin defense pushed hard and was able to keep the Golden Bears’ offense from getting inside, forcing the Cal attackers to take a majority of shots from the outside. However, Cal’s attackers accepted that challenge and used their arm strength and ability to find prime angles to keep the game close.
The schedule is a possible advantage for the Bruins going into the tournament. The NCAA final on Sunday would be the earliest that UCLA could face perennial powerhouse Stanford or crosstown rival USC, which has closely followed UCLA in the rankings all year.
UCLA boasts several experienced players who are familiar with playing in the NCAAs, such as leading goal scorer and junior attacker Rachel Fattal as well as redshirt senior Sami Hill, a record-breaking goalkeeper. If UCLA does face Cal in the NCAA semifinal Saturday, Hill
However, for the six Bruin freshmen, this is their first chance to prove themselves in an NCAA Tournament.
“I think our freshman class has done a good job,” said coach Brandon Brooks. “Aside from (freshman attacker Devin Grab), they haven’t contributed very much on the scoreboard, but I think they’ve been consistent. I think they’ve been very willing to learn. They’re a very coachable group, and I think they fit in very well with the team.”
As for the returning players, such as junior attacker Kodi Hill, this is an opportunity to make the best of the time they have left and use their experience to push the team forward.
“It’s tournaments like these that are the most fun,” Hill said. “It’s honestly the reason we love playing this sport.”
Brooks said the team is well-prepared for this weekend, and now it comes down to giving the players’ best performance.
“This is such an exciting time of year,” Brooks said. “It’s been a great journey this far.”
Compiled by Nicole Becannon, Bruin Sports contributor.
Why aren’t there more disabled people on this swim team? Now I’m triggered.
And of course they are all white..smh..if we weren’t battling constant white supremacy we might have more time to take up extracurricular activities. I’m not going to go to the pool just to face micro-aggressions, I mean this makes me sick….