It’s been more than a senior-filled starting lineup that
has propelled the UCLA men’s water polo team to No. 1 in the
national rankings and to 13 straight wins. The Bruins also have the
top and deepest bench, using at times an unheard of 14 players per
game. “Those guys are the key to our success,” coach
Adam Krikorian said. “If our starters are ever in trouble,
there’s no worries.” Several non-starters have played
key roles recently. Sophomore Grant Zider and freshman Matt Jacobs
pitched in late-quarter goals that propelled UCLA over No. 2
Stanford on Saturday. It was also Jacobs who recorded the
game-winner in the Bruins’ win against Stanford earlier in
the season. Juniors Logan Powell and David Pietsch scored key goals
Sunday against Long Beach State as well. “It’s really
important to have a lot of depth,” Powell said. “We can
all go out and give 100 percent and wear teams out. We can take the
wind out of their sails.” Most water polo teams typically
play either eight or nine players consistently, but the Bruins have
consistently taped into their bench for support. While senior Brett
Ormsby leads the team by far with 51 goals, many other Bruins have
also scored a significant goal total, giving UCLA a more balanced
attack. “When teams are getting ready to play us, they have
to prepare for all 14 guys,” Krikorian said.
“It’s great to throw teams different looks.” Ten
different Bruins have scored at least 10 goals this season,
including four players coming off of the bench: Pietsch, Zider,
Powell and Jacobs. The three of them have adjusted to their roles
and are willing to contribute whenever called upon. “I like
the position I’m in this year,” Powell said. “I
really love playing with this group and love playing as much as I
have.” Thomas Foley and Marco Santos are the other players
that have gotten consistent time off of the bench.
USC START TIME CHANGED: The time of
UCLA’s match at USC on Nov. 13 has been changed to 4:30 p.m.
The match will take place three hours before USC’s football
Homecoming game against Arizona that night, probably in an effort
to draw a larger crowd to the water polo match.
AXELRAD HONORED: UCLA goalie Joseph Axelrad was
named the MPSF/Mikasa Co-Player of the Week for his 14-save game
against Stanford on Saturday, and for his 7-save performance on
Sunday against Long Beach State. Axelrad shares the honor with UC
Irvine’s Dreason Barry, who scored six goals in two games
over the weekend.