Brett Ormsby’s summer team will play his current team
today.
Over the summer, Ormsby played for the U.S. water polo team that
won the gold medal at the Pan American Champion-ships and finished
sixth at the World Championships in August.
This school year, the junior driver has been a star for the No.
5 Bruins, who saw his streak of 41 consecutive games with a goal
scored come to an end this past weekend.
“It’ll be interesting,” Ormsby said.
“They’re bringing their real team that is getting ready
for the Olympics.”
Since it is an exhibition match, some of the standard rules will
be changed.
The game will have six quarters lasting eight or nine minutes
each, not the typical four seven-minute quarters, in order to give
more players time to play against one of the best teams in the
world.
“It’s the best experience this team will have all
year,” UCLA coach Adam Krikorian said. “I’m a
firm believer that the better competition you play, the better you
become.”
Former Bruins Brandon Brooks and Adam Wright will be playing for
Team USA.
“We’ll be playing against guys that are stronger,
more physical and more intelligent,” Krikorian said.
“Hopefully, our guys will learn to play close to that
level.”
UCLA is currently in a two-week space in its schedule where it
does not play a conference game. Thursday, the Bruins will host St.
Francis in their only other match before an Oct. 18 matchup against
Cal.
In the meantime, Krikorian will emphasize three main things
during practice: skills, conditioning and competition for playing
time.