University Southern California Trojans
2008 USC Women's Water Polo Season Outlook
February 11, 2008 | Women's Water Polo
Feb. 11, 2008
There's been a changing of the guard of sorts across the board in the nation's top water polo conference. Only 10 players from the 2007 All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation teams return to the pool for the 2008 season, leaving the leadership of the coming season up for grabs.
And the Trojans are more than ready to fill that gap.
The USC women's water polo team has long been a contender for both conference and national titles. The past four years, the Women of Troy have finished no lower than third in the NCAA Tournament, including capturing the 2004 national championship. And although the big names from those teams have moved along, the Trojans maintain a foundation of talented and experienced players who are more than ready to make a name for themselves.
USC enters its 2008 campaign as the nation's No. 2 ranked team. And for very good reason.
While six Women of Troy push toward Olympic gold as members of the U.S. Women's National Team, the 2008 Trojans are equally dedicated to success in the collegiate waters. Behind the valuable leadership of seniors Veronika Bartunkova, Miranda Nichols, Alison Riddle and Julie Spataru, USC has the balance and power to improve on last year's third-place finish and 22-6 overall record and take over at the top of the water polo world.
"We have a very hungry team," said USC head coach Jovan Vavic, who enters his 14th season holding a 299-104 career record with the Women of Troy. "This is a team that really wants to win badly and many of the players want to prove themselves. For the seniors, it's their last chance to win a championship. Five girls are their fourth year with the program, that's a driving force for the leadership of these girls, to have a chance to win a title."
USC's fourth-year players offer a glimpse of the overall makeup of the team. From the speed and discipline of drivers Riddle and Spataru, to the precision scoring ability of Bartunkova, to the ironwoman role of defender Nichols, to the keen goalkeeping abilities of redshirt junior Whitney Morgan, the Trojans have a blend of tools that reach up and down the ranks. Nichols stands out as the Trojans' top returner -- capable of powerful offense along with stifling defense that put the senior in line for top honors this season -- recognition long deserved for the talented utility player who has shined for the Women of Troy throughout her career.
"Miranda really has all the tools and is one of the players that could really compete for the Pete Cutino award," Vavic said of Nichols.
Following closely in her wake is sophomore Forel Davies -- a U.S. Junior National Team member who also boasts a well-rounded and well-respected game for the Trojans. She helps anchor a USC defense that is studded with strength. Junior Michelle Stein offers similar balance as a staunch defender and one of the top shooters in the pool. Backed up by arguably the best goalie tandem in the game -- Morgan and sophomore Tumua Anae -- the USC defense will anchor the Trojans' pursuit of a national title.
"We really have the potential to be a very good defensive team," said Vavic, who has created a dynasty of defensive powers in both the men's and women's programs at USC. "Forel, Miranda and Michelle are excellent defenders. And I think the goalies are another big strength. Between Tumua and Whitney we have the best pair of goalies in the country, which helps us adjust to our opponents."
Further helping to balance out the departures of U.S. Olympic hopefuls Kami Craig, Patty Cardenas, Erika Figge and Brittany Hayes as well as 2007 grads Denise Madrid, Marina Mayer and Jana Wenger, are sophomores Kally Lucas and Alexandra Kiss, who made a splash for USC last year in their first seasons at Troy, and are keyed to continue stepping up their roles for the Trojans in 2008. Also at the attacking end of the pool, USC's young and talented two-meter prowess will be on display. Three freshmen are tagged to rotate through the center position. All three are tough. And all three are ready to make an impact. Joining Nichols and junior Jordan Anae as USC's threat at set are freshmen Kristen Dronberger, Jessica Kutcher and Sarah Van Norman.
"I think we're going to be strong at two-meters," Vavic said. "It'll be a strong part of our game because we have five players who can set, and between the five of them we can get the job done. We're going to count on younger players this season and want to see them respond to pressure situations."
USC has added a grand total seven freshmen to the roster for 2008, and three more players will see their first action after redshirting in 2007. Along with two-meter players Dronsberger, Kutcher and Van Norman, freshmen Katie Indvik, Stephanie Lavayen and Lindsey Urquhart are lined up as drivers, and Courtney Ray will serve as a backup goalie to Anae and Morgan. Coming off redshirt seasons are drivers Tekla Beckmann, Shauna Letvin and Rebecca McCall.
