SEASIDE, Calif.-- The Cal State Monterey Bay women's water polo team returns to The Otter Tank for the first time since Feb. 15 this weekend.
"We've been working on remembering our own identity," says Head Coach
Gary Figueroa. "We're trying to get back to how we play water polo, not how anyone else expects us to. We're talking about playing our best against San Bernardino."
The Otters take on Cal State San Bernardino in a non-conference match on Saturday. First sprint at The Otter Tank is scheduled for 11:00am.
SCOUTING CAL STATE SAN BERNARDINO: The Coyotes have struggled in their quest for victories this season. Although 1-12, they've lost close contests (four by two goals or less). The lone common opponent with CSUMB is Fresno Pacific. They split with the Sunbirds but were outscored 15-13. In comparison, CSUMB swept FPU and outscored the Sunbirds 23-12 in the two victories.
LAST MEETING: CSUMB and CSUSB met on Apr. 13, 2012 at The Otter Tank. In that game
Nikki Smart helped lead the Otters to a 13-8 victory with six goals on the afternoon. Current Otter
Christina Keller chipped in with two goals.
LAST DIP IN THE POOL: Playing at WWPA opponent Santa Clara, the Otters fell after a competitive first quarter of play. SCU used a balanced attack to defeat CSUMB 10-5 at the Sullivan Aquatic Center.
ESPN STUDENT-ATHLETE OF WEEK: Senior center
Jackie Walters earned ESPN Central Coast 630 Player of the Week Honors for the week of Jan. 20. Highlighted by four goals in a victory over Azusa Pacific, Walters led the Otters to a Saturday sweep in Fresno over APU and Fresno Pacific.
OTTERS WEARING RED: Five Otter freshman are redshirting during the 2013 regular season. Among them are:
Angel Arellano,
Rachel Brindley,
Jen Goforth, Kanani Hocking and
Bree Hogervorst.
MORE THAN 32 MINUTES OF PLAY?: The Otters began their season with a dramatic 13-12 OT loss to rival Sonoma State. CSUMB didn't play an overtime game during the entire 2012 season. The last overtime match you ask? A 12-10 win over Cal State Bakersfield at the WWPA Tournament on May 1, 2011.
ROAD WARRIORS: CSUMB will have to win on the road often this season to remain competitive. Of their remaining 19 regular season contests, only five will be played at The Otter Tank.
UNDERWATER THIEF: Otter senior
Julie Cooper has had a knack for taking things that aren't hers this season. Cooper's 26 steals rank first in the WWPA.
SAVED BY THE JENNINGS: Otter sophomore goalie
Amanda Jennings' 15.5 saves per game average this season is good for the top spot in the WWPA.
OTTERS ON TV: For the first time in program history, CSUMB water polo home games will be telvised on the campus cable station Channel 71. Fans can also follow the action live on
OtterAthletics.com.
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