Thursday, 4/17/97 Playing Simmons’ combination of determination,
humor transfer to team’s success
By Sam Toussi Daily Bruin Contributor Every great team needs a
Superplayer, the half-human and half-beast who takes control when
the team is down. Every great team needs the professor, a player
who studies the game and appreciates its finer, more intricate
elements. Every great team also needs a joker. These types may not
be the best on the team or even start the games, but they keep the
team light and unified. Then there are those rare cases, those rare
combinations of determination, heart, soul, skill, talent and
humor. Coralie Simmons is that rare type of player for the women’s
water polo team as it romps its way to its second collegiate
championship in as many years. She is the half-human, half-beast in
the water that every coach dreams of. Though many pay attention to
her speed in the water, she brings much more than speed to each and
every game. "She’s got the whole package," says assistant coach
Adam Krikorian. "It’s not just her speed, though she is one of the
fastest in the country. She’s everything from intense to quick to
fast. She’s also got great instincts in the water." To date, she
has scored 48 goals and continues to live up to the title "one of
the best in the nation." Just last weekend, she torched the
California Golden Bears for three goals in the first quarter of a
Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) game. Yes, the first
quarter. UCLA went on to defeat Cal twice that weekend, avenging
their only loss of the season, making them the MPSF Champions. It
was Simmons who led them to this point, and not just through her
scoring. By all accounts, Simmons brings a unique perspective of
the world and a sharp sense of humor that loosens the team up. "I
try to stay real positive and make it enjoyable to be with each
other out of the water," Simmons said. "I figure if we’re
comfortable with each other out of the water, we’ll be comfortable
with each other in the water." Simmons will tell you that one
player cannot be singled out for her contribution. "Whether it’s a
good pass to set me up or whatever, we win as a team. You can’t
single anyone out for what they do," Simmons said. But Simmons does
stand out, if not for her talent and excellence in the water, then
surely for her ability to be the team’s emotional leader. The
scoring is secondary when one considers how vital she is to the
team out of the water. "Coralie’s a really unique individual,"
Krikorian said. "She’s got the most off-the-wall sense of humor
that really can’t be described on paper. It’s just the way she
makes everyone feel; she brings a lightheartedness to the team."
Simmons’ carefree attitude prevails throughout the team. It is the
reason why the Bruins have been so tough to beat even with two key
starters (Nicolle Payne and Stephanie Natcher) injured. Simmons
helps to rally the team in the hard times. At times she is vocal;
other times she sets the example through action. "Sometimes at
practice, she’ll just take over," Krikorian says. "She’ll get the
most intense, the most vocal, the most driven and that just makes
everyone else follow." And there are the times when she sets the
tone, such as her MPSF Championship performance. As the season
comes to a close and the Bruins near their goal to win back-to-back
titles, Simmons will be the spark plug. This superplayer, this
professor, this joker, continues to lead this team to greatness.
CHARLES KUO/Daily Bruin Coralie Simmons defines all-around player
through her intensity, leadership and sense of humor.