SEASIDE, CALIF.--While most Cal State Monterey Bay students are off enjoying their spring break, the CSUMB women's water polo team is in the midst of their busiest and arguably most important part of their schedule.
"It's pretty key for us,' says Otter Head Coach
Gary Figueroa. 'We kinda need to get something kickstarted this weekend.
The Otters will play six games in just three days. A tall task for a team that is traveling as well.
"We've done something like this every year,' says Figueroa. It's been a good turning point for us in the past. It's part of our training to play that many games. We have to manage it, we can't expect every player to play every minute."
CSUMB begins by playing a critical WWPA match versus Cal State San Bernardino at 2:00 p.m.
SCOUTING OTTER OPPONENTS: Among this weekend's competition are three games against teams in which the Otters have already faced this season (Cal State San Bernardino and Azusa Pacific). In those contests the Otters are 2-0. Highlighting the other group of opponents is Ivy League member Princeton. The Tigers are ranked nationally at No. 12.
LAST DIP IN THE POOL: Playing at a home mini tournament the Otters flexed their offensive muscle. In games versus UC Santa Cruz and Occidental, CSUMB scored a combined 33 goals.
Jackie Walters lead the Otters with a total of 11 goals.
ESPN STUDENT-ATHLETE OF WEEK: Senior center
Jackie Walters earned ESPN Central Coast 630 Student-Athlete of the Week Honors for the week of Jan. 20. Highlighted by four goals in a victory over APU, Walters led the Otters to a Saturday sweep in Fresno over APU and FPU.
KAP7 PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Senior
Jackie Walters put yet another accomplishment on her mantle for the 2013 season as she was named KAP7 Co-Player of the Week on Mar. 13. Walters scored 11 goals in four games (including 2 against No. 3 ASU) at the Roadrunner Invitational.
OTTER LEADERS: Senior
Jackie Walters leads the Otters in goals this season with 43. Senior
Alex Tyrrell leads the team with 26 assists while senior
Julie Cooper has a team-high 37 steals. In the goal, Sophomore
Amanda Jennings has recorded 150 saves.
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 14 regular season contests, only four 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 2.31 steals per game this season rank second in the WWPA.
SAVED BY THE JENNINGS: Sophomore goalie
Amanda Jennings continues to impress in the goal this season. Her 14.28 saves per match average is good for first in the WWPA.
