Jackie Walters and the CSUMB women's water polo team will face a talented group of opponents this weekend in Bakersfield.
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SEASIDE, CALIF.-- The Cal State Monterey Bay women's water polo team travels to Bakersfield this weekend for the Roadrunner Invitational.
"This weekend we start with UOP and we've played them before, they're one of those top 20 teams so it's a known quantity and a challenge,' says Otters Head Coach
Gary Figueroa. 'We need to do the things that we're training to do which is defend first and movement. We have to help each other move the ball."
The Otters begin with a Saturday match versus University of the Pacific at 10:15a.m. Later that day they'll take on Bucknell University, first sprint is scheduled for 4:15p.m.
ROADRUNNER OPPONENTS: The Roadrunner Classic hosted by CSU Bakersfield presents a solid field of six teams. Highlighting CSUMB's opponents is No.3 Arizona State, they're coming off a dramatic win over UCLA.
LAST MEETING: In the past two seasons, CSUMB has played Pacific and Arizona State. The Otters split with UOP and lost to ASU 16-7 on Feb. 13, 2011. The Otters were lead by
Nikki Smart's (Clovis, Calif./Buchanan HS) four goals versus ASU, and current player
Christina Keller (Agoura Hills, Calif./Agoura HS) had six saves in the contest.
LAST DIP IN THE POOL: CSUMB returned to the win column in a big way this past Saturday. Playing WWPA opponent Cal State San Bernardino, the Otters dominated the first half with an 11-1 advantage. Seven Otters scored en route to a 13-7 win at The Otter Tank.
ESPN STUDENT-ATHLETE OF WEEK: Senior center
Jackie Walters (San Diego, Calif./La Jolla HS) 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.
OTTER LEADERS: Walters leads the Otters in goals this season with 21.
Alex Tyrrell (Wildomar, Calif./Elsinore HS) leads the team with 14 assits while
Julie Cooper (Wildomar, Calif./Elsinore HS) has a team-high 27 steals. In the goal,
Amanda Jennings (Oakley, Calif./Freedom HS) has recorded 101 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 19 regular season contests, only five will be played at The Otter Tank.
