Four Women of Troy Earn All-American Honors
June 18, 2008 | Women's Water Polo
June 18, 2008
The USC women's water polo team has tacked four new names to the All-American list with this season's ACWPC All-America accolades going to sophomore Tumua Anae, seniors Veronika Bartunkova and Miranda Nichols and junior Michelle Stein. It is the first such national honor for all four Women of Troy, representing the group's standout efforts in USC's run to the 2008 NCAA title game.
The NCAA finalists completed the year with a 21-8 overall record. This year's All-Americans reflect the balance of the 2008 Trojan roster. A sophomore goalie, First Team All-American Tumua Anae anchored a tough USC defense, while senior Veronika Bartunkova - also a First Team All-American pick - was the Trojans' second leading scorer with 50 goals.
Anae led the MPSF with just 4.6 goals-against per game while averaging 8.9 saves per game in the cage through her sophomore season. The sophomore was also honored this year on the All-MPSF First Team, All-NCAA Tournament First Team and was selected to the MPSF All-Tournament Team. Anae earned MPSF Player of the Week honors as well this season, and set a new career high with 14 saves against UCLA.
Bartunkova closes out her USC career with 106 career goals and joined Anae as a First Team All-MPSF selection this season. Bartunkova was also a First Team All-NCAA Tournament selection and honored on the MPSF All-Tournament Team. She, too, was an MPSF Player of the Week and set a new career high with five goals against UC Santa Barbara during the year.
USC's Second Team All-American selections also presented a strong tag-team of defensive and offensive strength. Senior captain Miranda Nichols has been a powerful defender for the Trojans throughout her career and also knocked in 27 goals this season to finish her career with 86 career goals. Junior Michelle Stein was USC's scoring leader, blasting 56 goals for the Trojans to rank as the MPSF's No. 9 scorer on the year.
Nichols picked up additional 2008 honors as a member of the All-MPSF Second Team and was named to the First Team All-NCAA Tournament. The senior's new career best came with a four-goal game against San Jose State.
Stein was twice selected an MPSF Player of the Week for her powerful offensive year for the Trojans. With 16 multiple-goal games, the junior topped out with a five-goal effort against Michigan this season to now hold 95 career goals.
