W. water polo readies team roster for post-season
By Esther Hui
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Four weeks remain until the qualification tournament for the
Collegiate Championships in women’s water polo. This also marks the
date that UCLA must declare its official roster. With an original
team consisting of about 25 poloists of widely differing skill
levels, narrowing it down to a traveling team of 13 has been
particularly challenging.
According to UCLA head coach Guy Baker, there are now 14 women
vying for the 13 spots on the plane to the Virginia if the team
should qualify for the championships. As the Bruins prepare to play
the English National Team today at 2:30, and USC tomorrow at 3 p.m.
in the Men’s Gym, individual performances have become increasingly
important.
"It’s really competitive," Baker said. "And it’s really close,
depending on how practice is going. A lot of times it’s not only
the best 13, sometimes someone will just fit into the makeup of the
team better."
Adding to the unpredictability of the musical chairs of women’s
water polo has been the addition of two new swimmers, who joined
the Bruins at the conclusion of the swimming season two weeks
ago.
Sprint specialist Jill Buckley, and All-American Megan Oesting
are both included in the Bruins’ top 14. According to Baker, the
swimmers add speed and competitiveness, which the Bruins are
lacking.
One positive attribute of the rather late-in-the season team
formation, is the fact that all 14 women will return for the 1996
season. Of the 14, there are five juniors, one sophomore and eight
freshman. Five of the seven regular starters are freshmen,
including goal keeper Nicolle Payne, two-meter defender Jennifer
Cady, and drivers Stephanie Natcher, Jessica Nelson and Heather
Wright.
"Going into the season I didn’t know what to expect," Baker
said. "Now I think we have a fairly legitimate chance of doing well
at the Collegiate Championships. We’ve narrowed it down to a core
group of athletes and we’re working hard to make this season
great."