For the first time in ages, the Bruins will be idle in the water
during the NCAA tournament.
Only a few days removed from an agonizing loss to Stanford and a
third-place finish in the MPSF Tournament, coach Adam Krikorian is
no longer dwelling on the past, even though the season has run dry
for the UCLA women’s water polo team.
“I’m already looking forward to next year,”
Krikorian said. “We’re going to be filled with talented
and competitive players.”
Come next season, the Bruins’ lineup will undergo a
face-lift that will have the likes of USC and Stanford forming new
wrinkles.
Five U.S. National team players ““ senior-to-be Natalie
Golda, junior-to-be Thalia Munro, sophomores-to-be Kelly Rulon and
Amber Stachowski, and incoming freshman Gabrielle Domanic ““
will trade their U.S. flags for the chance to slap on the blue-and
gold-cap.
While Krikorian faced a daunting task balancing a team filled
with only freshmen and sophomores, next year could be an even
greater test.
Ultimately, the challenge in putting together a squad will be
maintaining team chemistry and seeing how the current players will
adjust to the return of their teammates.
Contrary to popular belief, the national team members will not
have the starting position handed to them on a blue-and-gold
platter.
“These girls are talented players, and I am proud of what
they’ve done,” Krikorian said. “But that
doesn’t earn them a starting spot on next year’s
team.”
The question going into next year will be how the remaining
Bruins will respond to their new roles as they see their playing
time drastically curtailed.
“Essentially, everything is for the team, and if I get
less time, so be it,” sophomore Lauren Heineck said.
“It’s certainly going to help our team having so many
players because we have so much more depth.”
As of now, the Bruins have 13 possible returning field players,
five national team players and seven possible incoming freshman
recruits.
But the lone problem remains ““ there’s only one
pool.
“I’m not big on large teams,” Krikorian said.
“I like having smaller numbers, because it makes it easier to
give each player attention.
“So, if we have 23-24 players, in terms of practice, 18
will only get to practice on a consistent basis.”
Out of the freshman recruiting class, four field players and a
goalie have already signed letters of intent ““ Jillian Kraus,
Courtney Mathewson, Brittany Rowe, Monique Blanchard and Katy
Krumpoltz.
Based on high school performances, Kraus has the best shot of
earning significant playing time.
The only position that is essentially set in stone will be Emily
Feher’s. The goalie had an outstanding freshman campaign in
the cage, and her performance has been a pleasant surprise for
Krikorian.
“There’s a lot of pressure playing goalie, and Emily
did a great job,” Krikorian said. “She’s got high
expectations for herself, as do I.
“For Emily, the best has yet to come.”
This past year, not much was expected of the youthful Bruin
squad. But the situation will undergo a complete 180 next season,
as UCLA will likely be the pre-season favorite to capture the NCAA
title.
“That’s the way it looks. We have a good
chance,” Feher said. “Next year, they’re going to
expect us to win it all. They’re going to expect us to do
great things, and I think we’re going to be capable of doing
just that.”
For Heineck, this season’s time in the water has ended,
but the preparation for next year begins now.
“I went to the gym (Monday). It’s important for me
to keep my body in shape,” she said. “But for now,
I’m going to stay away from water polo.”
Looking at the whole picture, Krikorian will have his hands
full, but in a good way. Still, it will be in the players’
hands to earn their positions in the starting lineup.
Ultimately, the way the players handle the precarious lineup
situation may determine whether the team lives up to its
billing.