2003 Hoosier Water Polo Preview

1/14/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo

Beginning the sixth varsity season of Indiana University women's water polo, Hoosier head coach Barry King will look to lead IU down the road to the national championship. With the addition of former four-time All-American Kristie Dickey as assistant coach, King and the Hoosiers are focused and ready for the 2003 campaign to begin Jan. 25 in Ann Arbor, Mich.

In October 2002, Indiana assistant coach Matt Anderson, having served only one year in Bloomington, was named head coach at the University of Michigan--Indiana's most heated rival.

While both proud and disappointed by Anderson's departure, King notes that it only highlights the Hoosier program more on the national water polo circuit.

"I think that it says a lot for water polo in the Midwest," King said. "Michigan went to the NCAAs last year, and once Amber (Drury-Pinto) left to coach at Cal, they looked right to Matt to replace her. Matt is a great coach, who will only make that program better."

King now looks ahead to make his program better as well. After surpassing the 100 career-win plateau in 2002, the Hoosier coach returns with a supporting cast of All-America senior two-meter Kristin Stanford and sophomore Krista Peterson, who competed for Team USA at the Pan American Junior Water Polo Championships this past summer.

King undoubtedly had his best recruiting season in his five-year tenure at Indiana last year. Sharna Nelson, a relative-unknown from Australia, was a late addition to last year's Hoosier roster and had an incredible freshman season, netting 53 goals.

Indiana's other freshman making waves last year was goalkeeper Jessica Goldner. The young keeper split most of the season with Kirsten Mayberry. Goldner recorded a 3.31 goals-against average in 2002, allowing 96 goals on 340 shots.

With the loss of five seniors, including captain Molly Fonner, Indiana will look for many Hoosiers to take leadership roles in 2003, as IU focuses in on traveling to San Diego this May and winning its first NCAA National Championship.

Two-Meter Offense
Returning for Indiana is the deadliest two-meter left-handed combo in the nation. Senior All-American Kristin Stanford and sophomore Krista Peterson will be the primary two-meter threats for the Hoosiers in 2003.

Stanford is the school all-time scoring leader with 173 goals (1.77 per game). She also owns the school record for goals in a season (66) and shares the record for a game with six. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native is coming off a third-team All-American season and will be the Hoosier leader in 2003.

"Kristin has been a consistent offensive force for us the last three years," said King. "She will be expected to do the same this year, as well as provide great leadership for such a young group."

One underclassman that will be asked to do the same is sophomore Krista Peterson.

Peterson adapted quickly to the Hoosier offense in her freshman season, scoring 50 goals on 141 shots. Her presence in the water makes her a threat for scoring multiple goals and will most likely call for defensive double-teams.

"After steadily improving throughout last season, and having a dominant Eastern Championship appearance, Krista had the summer of her dreams," King said. "She was selected to the Junior National Team and played in the Pan American Championships for Team USA. Her experiences this summer have made her a player on which other teams must focus."

Indiana will also look to freshmen Bridget McKeon and Courtney Thom to contribute in two-meters as well.

"Bridget has great fundamental skills and will be a big part of this team's development into a champion," King said. "She gives more versatility because she can play both two-meter offense and defense."

As for Thom, a native of San Clemente, Calif., could be both a threat at two-meters and on the perimeter, which excites the Hoosier coach.

"Courtney will provide great versatility for us as well," King said. "She can go to two-meter-offense and be effective or stay on the perimeter and shoot. Her ability to move around the pool will help others get rest and make us dangerous in the latter minutes of the game."

Two-Meter Defense
Two elements that King will look for in the two-meter defensive players this year are toughness and speed. Juniors Melissa Pietras and Kristy Streefkerk will be the two main Hoosiers that will provide just that.

Streefkerk will move into the primary position that Molly Fonner held last year. With Fonner graduated, Streefkerk will be asked to put pressure on the opponent's two-meter offense.

"Kristy will be our stopper this year defensively and will be assigned to whomever is the other team's best offensive player," King said. "Her ability to shut opponents down at two-meters will be extremely important to our success."

With the Surrey, B.C., native's physical presence in two-meters, Indiana will look to Pietras to attack and force the steal.

"Melissa is consistently one of the fastest players on the team and will provide a lot of energy on the counterattack," King said. "The pressure that she puts on other teams with her speed will help drive our offense."

The Hoosier freshman that will be looked to contribute in the two-meter defensive scheme will be Clare Meadows. King has high hopes for the Mission Viejo, Calif., product and feels that she will contribute immediately.

"Clare will develop into one of the best two-meter defenders in the region," King said. "She has great leg strength and a competitive drive that allows her to shut offensive players down."

Driver
Moving into one of the playmaker roles will be sophomore Sharna Nelson. At the driver position, Nelson will have to move the ball into position for the Hoosier offensive attack. Last year, Nelson was one Indiana's three 50-goal scorers and controlled the offense well.

"Sharna developed into our playmaker last year and really pushed the improvement of our offense," said King. "We are looking forward to more of the same from her this year. She has a great head for the game. She understands the offense and knows what it will take to win."

Senior Jamie Marley will also see time at driver, which will demand her to stay healthy and perform at a high level.

"As a senior captain, Jamie will lend the leadership necessary for us to get to the National Championship," King said. "Her offensive skills will be in high demand this year."

Utility
Leading the way for the Hoosiers at utility is senior Ginger Wang. In 2002, Wang played sparingly in 28 of the Hoosiers 37 total matches. King notes that Wang is among a select few that need to step up big in 2003. At the Eastern Championships last season, Wang scored a goal against both Brown and Princeton, and added two steals against the Tigers.

"Ginger is ready to be a force for this team," said King. "She had a glimpse of what she could do at the Eastern Championships last year. If she plays like she did there, Ginger will have a huge year."

Wang's classmate Sarah Butler, will also play a big role in the utility position for the Hoosiers. Butler has seen a steady increase in playing time throughout her career, and will be looked upon to contribute a great deal this year.

"Sarah will be called on to be a defensive stalwart this year," King said. "Also, last year she showed potential at two-meter offense and will most likely get some time there this year as well."

Perhaps the most advantageous element of this year's freshman class is versatility. The Hoosiers have many holes to fill as graduation took away many key offensive and defensive contributors.

Freshmen Courtney Livak, Emily Schmitt and Rachel Lowe will be key in filling those holes.

"Courtney could be a big contributor for us this year because of her versatility and competitiveness," King said. "She will be able to fill many roles for us."

Schmitt is another fresh face that will be able to play on both sides of the pool.

"Emily has a great size and good head for the game," said King. "She will be looked at to take some of the offensive load and fill some of the defensive holes created by graduation."

As for Lowe, the Hoosier coach will look to the young freshman to mature in her first season.

"Rachel will be doing her best to learn our system," King said. "She has a great attitude and we are looking forward to her contributions during the season."

Goalkeeper
The lone Hoosier between the pipes this season will be sophomore Jessica Goldner. In 2002, Goldner split time with Kirsten Mayberry and will be the only IU keeper listed on the roster this year.

Although just a sophomore, Goldner became the Hoosiers' primary goalie towards the end of the 2002 season. The Los Altos Hills, Calif., native played in 29 of 37 matches, recording 144 saves on 340 shots (.424).

"Jessie improved consistently throughout the season last year," King said. "Knowing that she is our No. 1 goalie will free her to improve even more this year and become one of the best goalies in the East."

Overcoming Adversity
For the Hoosier water polo squad, the 2003 campaign consists primarily of two goals: Win the national championship and beat Michigan. Beat Michigan every single time. Many young faces wearing the crimson caps will have to emerge this season for Indiana to obtain and achieve its goals.

The Hoosiers will begin their season Jan. 25 at Michigan and then follow two weeks later at the Stanford Invitational, where they will face the host defending national champions Cardinal as well. Indiana will hit the east coast at the Princeton Invitational in mid-February before returning home March 1.

After its spring break trip to California, where the Hoosiers will face UC-San Diego, San Diego State and Loyola Marymount to name a few, Indiana will return to CWPA Conference play in late-March. IU will look to improve on its third-place finish in the conference the past two years.

Laced in the minds of each Hoosier returning from last year's squad is the heartbreak of the 2002 CWPA Eastern Championships, where the Hoosiers fell to Michigan 8-7 in five overtimes.

IU is focused and determined to return to San Diego, Calif. in May with hopes of bringing back to Bloomington the first national championship in just the short history of Hoosier water polo.