SEASIDE, CALIF.-- Same championships, same No. 6 seeding, different setting. The Cal State Monterey Bay women's water polo team returns to the WWPA Tournament, one year after reaching the semifinals for the first time in program history. This year's site is just about an hour north, at WWPA member school Santa Clara.
"We have a similar type of mindset this year at the WWPA's,' says Otter Head Coach
Gary Figueroa. 'We're underdogs by about the same amount. Our challenges are getting healthy in time for Friday's game."
"We've had challenges when we've played Santa Clara this year. Last time we played them without Jackie, we've got some possibilities."
CSUMB opens play on Friday, April 26 versus No. 3 seed and host SCU with a 2:00pm first sprint.
SCOUTING WWPA TOURNAMENT: It's a toss up as to whether UC San Diego or Loyola Marymount is the favorite. The two teams, nationally-ranked No. 13 and No. 11 respectively, are the top seeds for the tournament. Santa Clara, the tournament host, is ranked No. 3. CSUMB enters the foray as the No. 6 seed.
LAST WWPA TOURNAMENT: CSUMB enjoyed its best-ever finish at the WWPA's, placing fourth in 2012. An opening round upset of No. 3 seed Cal State Bakersfield landed the Otters in a semifinal matchup with UCSD. The Tritons narrowly got the victory, 7-6.
Nikki Smart was named to the WWPA All-Tournament first-team.
Julie Cooper earned second-team honors.
LAST DIP IN THE POOL: CSUMB avenged earlier defeats to Sonoma State by earning a dramtic 7-6 victory in the third place game of the CCAA Tournament in Fresno.
Alex Tyrrell and
Jackie Walters earned All-CCAA Tournament Invitational first-team honors.
Christina Keller earned second-team honors.
ESPN STUDENT-ATHLETE OF WEEK: Sophomore All-Around player
Hayley Burke earned ESPN Central Coast 630 Student-Athlete of the Week Honors for the week of April 1. Highlighted by strong defensive play, Burke helped the Otters to a WWPA victory over Cal State East Bay on Saturday. It is water polo's second athlete of the week honor this season.
KAP7 PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Seniors
Walters and
Kylie Fields were named KAP7 Co-Players of the Week by the WWPA for the week of Mar. 31. Walters had seven goals over the weekend while Fields had six, including five versus Concordia-Irvine.
OTTER LEADERS: Jackie Walters leads the Otters in goals this season with 65.
Alex Tyrrell leads the team with 38 assists while
Julie Cooper has a team-high 65 steals. In goal,
Amanda Jennings has recorded 257 saves. Walters 2.32 goals per game is fourth in the WWPA
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 and haven't played one since. The last overtime match you ask? A 12-10 win over Cal State Bakersfield at the WWPA Tournament on May 1, 2011.
SAVED BY THE JENNINGS: Sophomore goalie
Amanda Jennings continues to impress in the goal this season. Her 12.69 saves per match average is first in the WWPA. CSUMB's 12 saves per game also ranks first in the conference.
UNDERWATER THIEF: Otter senior
Julie Cooper has had a knack for taking things that aren't hers this season. Cooper's 65 steals are good for second place among athletes in the WWPA.
