NICOLE MILLER/Daily Bruin Kelly Heuchan plays
in UCLA’s victory over UC Santa Barbara in the Bruins’ last home
game. UCLA will play UC Irvine on Friday. SOFTBALL
vs. Friday 3 p.m. Irvine, CA
By Emily Whichard
Daily Bruin Contributor
The No. 2 UCLA women’s water polo team will have the
opportunity to float through one last match this weekend before
heading into a typhoon of play next weekend at the MPSF
tournament.
After a two-week hiatus, the Bruins (13-3, 8-1 MPSF) will travel
to UC Irvine on Friday for a 3 p.m. matchup with the Anteaters.
This will mark the teams’ second meeting this season.
UC Irvine (1-17, 1-7) has struggled through its first season as
an official program. In its first matchup with UCLA at the UCSB
tournament in February, the Anteaters fell to the Bruins with a
margin of 16-4.
While the game will not serve as the ideal, challenging
preparation for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament,
UCLA Head Coach Adam Krikorian is still looking to the match to
sharpen skills.
“Anytime you play a game it’s a good opportunity to
gain experience,” he said.
Following their final conference game, the Bruins will travel to
Honolulu, Hawaii, for the MPSF Tournament held April 27-29. The
tournament boasts a challenging lineup, including the top four
teams in the nation ““ Stanford, California, USC and UCLA.
It will be a dogfight throughout the weekend. Only the top two
teams in the conference will emerge for a chance to compete in the
NCAA Championships on May 12-13 at Stanford.
The Bruins don’t want to be left out in the cold. In
preparation for the battle, Krikorian wants to sharpen the
team’s 6-on-5 advantage against the Anteaters.
“We have been struggling with our power play all
season,” Krikorian said. “We get tired and tend to lose
focus instead of keeping the ball up.”
Krikorian is aware the Bruins cannot afford such a loss of focus
in Hawaii.
In addition to boosting its power play skills, UCLA will look to
make it through the game without adding to its list of
injuries.
Sophomore Robin Beauregard has been battling an elbow injury
that will require surgery over the summer. Junior Elaine Zivich has
been recovering from her own elbow injury.
Sophomore goalkeeper Jamie Hipp is planning on shoulder surgery
in the postseason. In addition, sophomore Jessica Lopez is the
fourth starter to spend time on the bench. Her back has been
causing her chronic problems throughout the season.
Krikorian is impressed by the injured players’ attempts to
barrel through the last few weeks of the season.
“This time of year is why they practice,” he said.
“They’ve been really tough about getting through the
pain because the big games of the season are in sight.”
Heading into this weekend’s game, the Bruins will continue
to keep their sights on the national championship.