Indiana University Athletics
Between the Pipes: Kirsten Mayberry
2/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
February 13, 2002
Between The Pipes: Senior Kirsten Mayberry
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It's nothing new to the Irvine, California native, because she has been doing it all her life. Mayberry has been stopping the opposition for the past three years as the Indiana goalkeeper.
But in those three years, Mayberry has been exposed to a different way of life then what she had in southern California. There are some noticeable differences, including the competition and popularity of water polo and most of all, the people in general, that make life in the Midwest different.
"The people here at IU are much different than people back in California," said Mayberry. "Here at school, the people are laid back, very friendly and are always willing to help. I'll be walking to class and have strangers just say hello. You don't have that back home."
And it's "back home" where water polo is what basketball is to Indiana. In California, most every school had water polo as a varsity sport and was often being played by youngsters around the age of seven. Although the popularity of water polo on the West Coast is much larger than it is in the Midwest, that doesn't bother Mayberry. Because there is one main element that has remained unchanged through her move inland to IU and that is her will to win.
"I have always been very competitive," said Mayberry. "Last year all I wanted to do was win." It is that determination that not only showed in the pool, but on paper too. Mayberry ended last season with 507 career saves on 915 attempts-both IU records. "I attribute much of that to how important it was for the team to win," she said. "It was very important to get our minds set on the game and doing whatever it took to win."
Whether she is hanging out with her friends, working on her major in Applied Health Science, or in the pool, Mayberry is demonstrating what it takes to be a leader.
"I love being that leader in and out of the pool," she said. "With being a goalie, you're constantly telling your team where they need to be in the water and what they need to be doing. I really like getting our team motivated."
Not only is Mayberry determined to keep her team motivated, but she is constantly making strides to improve her game. In the past three seasons, she has allowed 4.29 goals a game and has a save percentage of 54.9 percent. Her averages are very respectable considering last season Indiana scored an average on 9.65 goals a game.
"One of my goals for this season is to get my GAPG (goals allowed per game) average down," she said. "I am not going to let myself get discouraged if a goal is scored on me. If that happens it will only make me work harder."
Another aspect of this season that will make her work harder is the opportunity to return home when the Hoosiers compete over spring break close to her hometown. Indiana will compete at Cal State Bakersfield on March 13, at UC-Irvine the next day, and conclude their spring break at the Loyola Marymount Invitational on March 15-16.
"It's going to be great to go back home," said Mayberry. "It's nice that my friends and family will get a chance to see me play and cheer for us. It will also be cool to see some of my close friends who play for some of the California teams too."
If there was perhaps one thing that motivated Mayberry the most, it would be the perception of Midwest schools being weak when it came to the quality of competition.
In the four years that water polo has been a varsity sport at Indiana, head coach Barry King led the Hoosiers to three National Championship appearances in 1998, 1999 and 2000, finishing 12th, 16th and 14th respectively. Last season, Indiana joined a new conference in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA), and finished with an 18-12-1 record, a third place finish at the CWPA Southern Division Championship and a sixth place finish at the Eastern Championship.
That success however, does not ease Mayberry's desire and determination. "I'm tired of people calling us an 'underdog' and thinking that just because we're in the Midwest, we are not going to be able to compete against West Coast teams," she said.
"This season, not only is it my goal, but it is the team's goal to go out and compete in every match and show everyone that we can win and we will win."
The popularity of water polo in Indiana might be different than what it is in California. The people in California might be different than the friendly Hoosiers in the heartland. But there is one thing that will never be different and that is Kirsten Mayberry's will to win.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
/ Women's Water Polo
Wednesday, August 12
Wednesday, August 12
Tuesday, August 11
Tuesday, August 11