SEASIDE, Calif.- The Cal State Monterey Bay women's water polo team will pack in a total of four conference games in their final weekend of regular season play. CSUMB will host both Cal State San Bernardino and Colorado State on Friday, Apr. 13 before competing in the Bronco Invitational at Santa Clara University on Saturday Apr. 14th. The Otters will return to the Otter Tank to take on the Alumnae on Sunday, April 15 at 11 a.m.
COACH'S CORNER WITH GARY FIGUEROA: “This week in 'Otterland' is busy and exciting. Our team challenge is to stay focused on our business, playing our best, while enjoying the festivities. Senior Night on Friday and Alumnae Day on Sunday, with sandwiched games on Saturday. So maintaining intensity, communication, and cooperation as we play will determine our success during our games. The team is practicing well so look for some fantastic finishes.”
SENIOR DAY FRIDAY: The Otters team will be honoring their three seniors (
Sarah Chafi,
Nikki Smart, and
Katie Sowul) in their final home game the evening of Friday, April 13 when they host WWPA opponent Colorado State at the Otter Tank at 6 p.m.
HAGLETS DAY: The women's water polo team is hosting its annual Alumnae Game on Sunday, April 15 at 11 a.m. at the Otter Tank on CSUMB's campus. The 2012 Otters will scrimmage the alumni (or as Coach Fig likes to say; Haglets). This event serves as a great opportunity for the CSUMB water polo community to come together, catch up with old friends, and meet new ones.
ABOUT LAST WEEK: Before taking a weekend off for the holiday, CSUMB came away with two home victories. The Otters outplayed Concordia Irvine (12-10) in the morning, then came back to take a big conference win over the Pioneers of Cal State East Bay. CSUMB's late offensive surge made it difficult for the Pioneers to keep up in the final eight minutes. The Otters where led by
Nikki Smart with her eight goals over the course of the mini tournament.
WWPA STATISTICAL LEADER: Senior
Nikki Smart currently leads both the team and Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) in goals scored (86), scoring a single-game high of seven goals three times this season (against Fresno Pacific, Cal Lutheran, and Cal State San Bernardino).
WWPA STANDINGS BREAKDOWN: CSUMB remains in the top half of the WWPA this deep into the season. The Otters (13-11, 3-5 WWPA) are one of only five teams playing at or above 500. Sitting amoung the likes of No. 7 Loyola Marymount, No. 19 UC San Diego, Cal State Bakersfield, and Cal State East Bay.
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