University Southern California Trojans
2009 USC Men's Water Polo Season Outlook
September 02, 2009 | Men's Water Polo
Sept. 2, 2009
The numbers game has been going well for the USC men's water polo team.
Not only did the Trojans tack up big digits in 2008 -- a perfect 29-0 record; head coach Jovan Vavic's 300th career victory; and USC's fourth NCAA Championship trophy -- the numbers rolling in for the 2009 season have the Trojans leveling their collective gaze on a feat never before achieved by the program: back-to-back national championships.
The formula for success is there. Six starters return from last year's championship team. Five of them are All-Americans. Four were NCAA All-Tournament Team selections. Almost 80 percent of last season's scoring production is back. Both the MPSF Player of the Year and the Newcomer of the Year return to the water. And Coach of the Year Jovan Vavic is -- with 313 career wins in tow -- back on the deck to lead them.
USC's vaunted senior class includes an overpowering unit of six players who entered as freshmen in 2006 and have experienced only NCAA and MPSF finals since coming to Troy. J.W. Krumpholz may headline the group as the 2008 Peter J. Cutino Award winner, but fellow seniors Anthony Artukovich, Justin Rappel, Matt Sagehorn, Nico Sardo and Jordan Thompson have also been a key part of that winning formula. The addition of transfer Shea Buckner added another depth charge to that class, rounding out arguably the most talented set of seniors ever to cap up at Troy.
"The senior class we have has been outstanding, and the experience of playing in so many games together is a big part of it," Vavic said. "What makes this class so special is it's very balanced. We have a lefty, two-meter offense players, two-meter defenders and drivers. It's difficult to have so many guys stay together. It doesn't happen often, and they understand that this is this group's last run at the championship together. Our approach as a team this year is to really have fun and enjoy it."
While the Trojans do return almost 80 percent of last year's scoring production, the name of the game for USC teams has always been defense. That, by the way, is also in very, very good shape for 2009. True, there's some size missing with the graduation of All-Americans Arjan Ligtenberg and Jovan Vranes. But Buckner is an agile and powerful presence on defense, and junior Devon Borisoff and sophomore Matt Burton also bring their deft defense back to the hole along with newcomer Zayne Belal.
And don't forget, USC goalie Joel Dennerley still has his wall up in the cage. The All-American and MPSF Newcomer of the Year as a freshman last season is all lined up to anchor that still-dominant Trojan defense. Senior Brett Giery will also make a stand in goal for the Trojans, joined in the USC goalkeeping corps by Kevin Coyne, Jimmy Friedrich and Will Simon.
"I think we're going to be better defensively this year because Joel now has a whole year of competition under his belt and has learned the system," Vavic said. "I think Joel will be outstanding again in the position, just like last year. The difference is that we don't have two big guys in the middle. Losing Arjan Ligtenberg and Jovan Vranes is taking away size and strength. But we are gaining in speed and quickness. Everything else is basically the same."
Seniors Rappel, Sagehorn, Buckner and Krumpholz, junior Kyle Sterling and sophomore Peter Kurzeka all scored at least 20 goals for the Trojans in 2008, with similarly powerful production in the cards for that group once again. Krumpholz and fellow senior Jordan Thompson are set up to tag-team at two-meters along with new addition Brian Boswell, while Buckner, Rappel, Sagehorn, Sterling and Kurzeka open up the field as sharpshooters on the perimeter side-by-side with experienced senior drivers Artukovich and Sardo, speedy junior Borisoff and newer additions Kyle Wootten and Michael Rosenthal.
"Our most complete players are Sagehorn and Sterling and Kurzeka. They have the whole package -- they can play offense and are very good defenders. They'll make a big impact this season," Vavic said.
The charge toward a fifth consecutive NCAA final appearance and back-to-back national championships is underway. The undefeated run through 2008 may provide some momentum for 2009's journey, but streaks aren't a priority. MPSF dominance and winning that fifth NCAA title are.
"When you make it to the final four times in a row, that's your expectation. Our goal is always to get there," Vavic said. "Everybody's shooting for us, but I think we are experienced and smart enough to know how to handle pressure. Pressure is self-inflicted and how we deal with it is up to us. I think we have some very strong minded players -- you don't go 29-0 if you're not mentally tough -- but we'll be taking things one game at a time and the plan is to enjoy it. We want to enjoy every game."
