Indiana University Athletics
IU Opens at Michigan Invite
1/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The 2005 Indiana women's water polo team begins the season at the Michigan Invitational. It marks the fourth consecutive campaign Indiana has opened at the Ann Arbor, Mich., tournament. The 2005 field includes 2003 NCAA champion UCLA, host Michigan, Colorado State, Eastern Michigan, Slippery Rock, Michigan State and Indiana. The Invitational will be held at the Canham Natatorium on Jan. 29 and 30.
The Hoosiers will battle UCLA and Michigan on Jan. 29, and then take on Colorado State on Sunday, Jan. 30. Indiana will square off with UCLA to start the invitational at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday. IU will then face rival Michigan at 5:00 p.m. also on Saturday. The Hoosiers will wrap up the 2005 Michigan Invitational against Colorado State at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday.
For complete Indiana Water Polo notes, click HERE.
On UCLA
The Bruins finished the 2004 campaign with a 22-5 record and the No. 4 ranking in the country. UCLA's five losses came to either national champion USC or Final Four participant Stanford.
Junior center forward Kristina Kunkel led the Bruins in 2004 with 44 goals. Sophomore driver Molly Cahill and junior driver Katherine Belden had 38 and 33 goals, respectively on the season. Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Feher logged most of the minutes between the pipes for UCLA. She recorded 169 saves and a goals against average of 4.66 in 2004.
Senior center forward Natalie Golda, junior driver Thalia Munro, sophomore driver Kelly Rulon and sophomore center/defender Amber Stachowski all redshirted the 2004 season to train with the U.S. National team. The quartet were members of the U.S. water polo team that won the bronze medal at the 2004 Athens' Olympic Games. Freshman driver Gabrielle Domanic was an Olympic alternate. Five UCLA players are United States Junior National team members. Sophomore driver Molly Cahill, freshman driver Gabrielle Domanic, sophomore goalkeeper Emily Feher, freshman utility Jillian Kraus and sophomore center forward Kacy Kunkel are all junior national team players for the 2005 Junior World Championships.
The Hoosiers and UCLA will meet for the first time ever at the 2005 Michigan Invitational.
On Michigan
Michigan finished last season ranked 12th in the country and a record of 30-9. The 30 wins marked the best in school history for the Wolverines.
Michigan is led by senior goalkeeper Betsey Armstrong. In 2004, Armstrong had 350 blocks to go along with a goals against average of 4.45. She was a second team American Water Polo Coaches Association (AWPCA) All-America selection and one of four finalists for the Cutino Award, given annually to the top male and female collegiate water polo player. Sophomore driver Shana Welch led the Wolverines in goals a season ago with 54 scores to go along with 14 assists. Senior driver Sheetal Narsai was second on the team in scoring with 37 goals and 36 assists. Senior driver Erin Brown led the Wolverines with 42 assists on the season to go along with 25 goals.
The Hoosiers and Wolverines are no strangers to one another, having played on 16 occasions over the last four years. Michigan holds an advantage in the all-time series and has won the last 15 match ups. When these two teams get together, it is almost assured to be a great match. Six of the last 16 matches have gone to overtime, with 10 of the last 16 being decided by two or less goals.
On Colorado State
The Hoosiers will take on the Rams for the first time in school history during the 2005 campaign. Colorado State added women's water polo as a varsity sport on Oct. 30, 2003. Indiana will take on the Rams on two occasions in 2005, battling CSU at the Michigan Invitational and the Fluid Five in Bloomington. The 2005 season will be the inaugural season of Colorado State women's water polo as a varsity sport. John Mattos is the head coach of CSU.
All-Conference Returners
Indiana returns a trio of All-CWPA Western Division performers from a season ago. Seniors Jessica Goldner, Krista Peterson and Kandace Waldthaler were all Western Division honorees. Peterson earned first team accolades for the second time in her career. Waldthaler joined Peterson on the first team in her first season with the Hoosiers. Goldner earned second team goalkeeper for the second time in as many years.
Peterson was also an honorable mention AWPCA All-America selection for the second straight season.
All-Time Leader
Senior goalkeeper Jessica Goldner has anchored a stubborn Hoosier defense for each of the last three years. The Los Altos Hills, Calif., native enters her final campaign with the Cream and Crimson as the school's all-time leader in saves (671) and shots faced (1482).
Goldner also ranks first in shots faced (33) and saves (19) in a single game. Her goals against average of 4.60 in 2004 was the third-best in school history. She also has a career goals against average of 5.47.
20 Wins the Mark
In six of its first seven years of existence, the Indiana water polo program has eclipsed the 20-win plateau. The 2004 season was no different for the Hoosiers, as they went 20-9. The lone year IU failed to win 20 was 2001 when the Hoosiers finished 18-12-1.
The school record for wins is 26. Indiana won 26 matches in 1998 and 2003. The 2003 squad was also the first to win the CWPA and advance to an NCAA-sponsored Final Four.
Top-10 Rated in and out of the Pool
In 2004, the Hoosiers spent 11 of 15 weeks ranked among the top 10 in the country. The lowest IU reached in the polls during the 2004 season was 13th.
While in the pool accomplishments are more recognized, Indiana is one of the top academic institutions in the country. The water polo program has done nothing to diminish that fact either. In 2004, the Hoosiers equaled a school-record with seven American Water Polo Association Academic All-Americans (Kristin Zernicke, Kandace Waldthaler, Janis Pardy, Emily Schmitt, Krista Peterson, Melissa Pietras and Jessica Goldner). In the last four years, the Hoosiers have had a total of 22 Academic All-American selections. Also in 2004, the Hoosiers were ranked among the top 10 in team grade point average. Indiana was the only team ranked among the top 20 in the final poll of the season to be ranked among the top 10 in team G.P.A.
Hoosiers Hosting the CWPA Eastern Championship
For the first time since joining the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Conference in 2001, the Indiana water polo program will play host to the conference championship. The CWPA Eastern Championship determines the conference champion and the institution that will receive the league automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Eastern Championship is set for Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, April 31.
The Hoosiers have placed in the top three of the CWPA Eastern Championship each of the last three seasons. In 2003, Indiana won its first conference title and earned the automatic bid to the NCAA Championships in La Jolla, Calif. In 2004, the Hoosiers defeated Brown in the third-place match at the Eastern Championship.
"Getting to host the conference championship is always an advantage," Indiana head coach Barry King said. "We have a top-flight facility and it is always nice to put that to use for the big events. I think we have a group that should compete for the conference championship. For a chance to host it and put that team in front of their home fans is definitely an advantage."
Indiana has placed in the top three in each of the last three CWPA Eastern Championships. The Hoosiers captured the title in 2003.
Midwest to Host Expanded NCAA Championship
Midwest water polo will also be on display at the 2005 NCAA Championship. The University of Michigan will host the 2005 Championship in the Canham Natatorium in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Championships are set for May 13 through May 15.
The NCAA expanded the Championship field to eight for the 2005 campaign. The NCAA has sponsored a national champion in women's water polo since 2001 and started its championship field at four teams. The 2005 Championship will mark the first time in the four-year history of the event that it will be held outside the state of California. The 2001 and 2004 NCAA Championship were hosted by Stanford, while the 2002 Championship was hosted by USC and the 2003 competition by UC-San Diego.
The Western Water Polo Association, Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, CWPA, Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champions earn automatic bids to the eight-team field. The other three spots are at-large choices made by the water polo selection committee.
The Hoosiers will battle UCLA and Michigan on Jan. 29, and then take on Colorado State on Sunday, Jan. 30. Indiana will square off with UCLA to start the invitational at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday. IU will then face rival Michigan at 5:00 p.m. also on Saturday. The Hoosiers will wrap up the 2005 Michigan Invitational against Colorado State at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday.
For complete Indiana Water Polo notes, click HERE.
On UCLA
The Bruins finished the 2004 campaign with a 22-5 record and the No. 4 ranking in the country. UCLA's five losses came to either national champion USC or Final Four participant Stanford.
Junior center forward Kristina Kunkel led the Bruins in 2004 with 44 goals. Sophomore driver Molly Cahill and junior driver Katherine Belden had 38 and 33 goals, respectively on the season. Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Feher logged most of the minutes between the pipes for UCLA. She recorded 169 saves and a goals against average of 4.66 in 2004.
Senior center forward Natalie Golda, junior driver Thalia Munro, sophomore driver Kelly Rulon and sophomore center/defender Amber Stachowski all redshirted the 2004 season to train with the U.S. National team. The quartet were members of the U.S. water polo team that won the bronze medal at the 2004 Athens' Olympic Games. Freshman driver Gabrielle Domanic was an Olympic alternate. Five UCLA players are United States Junior National team members. Sophomore driver Molly Cahill, freshman driver Gabrielle Domanic, sophomore goalkeeper Emily Feher, freshman utility Jillian Kraus and sophomore center forward Kacy Kunkel are all junior national team players for the 2005 Junior World Championships.
The Hoosiers and UCLA will meet for the first time ever at the 2005 Michigan Invitational.
On Michigan
Michigan finished last season ranked 12th in the country and a record of 30-9. The 30 wins marked the best in school history for the Wolverines.
Michigan is led by senior goalkeeper Betsey Armstrong. In 2004, Armstrong had 350 blocks to go along with a goals against average of 4.45. She was a second team American Water Polo Coaches Association (AWPCA) All-America selection and one of four finalists for the Cutino Award, given annually to the top male and female collegiate water polo player. Sophomore driver Shana Welch led the Wolverines in goals a season ago with 54 scores to go along with 14 assists. Senior driver Sheetal Narsai was second on the team in scoring with 37 goals and 36 assists. Senior driver Erin Brown led the Wolverines with 42 assists on the season to go along with 25 goals.
The Hoosiers and Wolverines are no strangers to one another, having played on 16 occasions over the last four years. Michigan holds an advantage in the all-time series and has won the last 15 match ups. When these two teams get together, it is almost assured to be a great match. Six of the last 16 matches have gone to overtime, with 10 of the last 16 being decided by two or less goals.
On Colorado State
The Hoosiers will take on the Rams for the first time in school history during the 2005 campaign. Colorado State added women's water polo as a varsity sport on Oct. 30, 2003. Indiana will take on the Rams on two occasions in 2005, battling CSU at the Michigan Invitational and the Fluid Five in Bloomington. The 2005 season will be the inaugural season of Colorado State women's water polo as a varsity sport. John Mattos is the head coach of CSU.
All-Conference Returners
Indiana returns a trio of All-CWPA Western Division performers from a season ago. Seniors Jessica Goldner, Krista Peterson and Kandace Waldthaler were all Western Division honorees. Peterson earned first team accolades for the second time in her career. Waldthaler joined Peterson on the first team in her first season with the Hoosiers. Goldner earned second team goalkeeper for the second time in as many years.
Peterson was also an honorable mention AWPCA All-America selection for the second straight season.
All-Time Leader
Senior goalkeeper Jessica Goldner has anchored a stubborn Hoosier defense for each of the last three years. The Los Altos Hills, Calif., native enters her final campaign with the Cream and Crimson as the school's all-time leader in saves (671) and shots faced (1482).
Goldner also ranks first in shots faced (33) and saves (19) in a single game. Her goals against average of 4.60 in 2004 was the third-best in school history. She also has a career goals against average of 5.47.
20 Wins the Mark
In six of its first seven years of existence, the Indiana water polo program has eclipsed the 20-win plateau. The 2004 season was no different for the Hoosiers, as they went 20-9. The lone year IU failed to win 20 was 2001 when the Hoosiers finished 18-12-1.
The school record for wins is 26. Indiana won 26 matches in 1998 and 2003. The 2003 squad was also the first to win the CWPA and advance to an NCAA-sponsored Final Four.
Top-10 Rated in and out of the Pool
In 2004, the Hoosiers spent 11 of 15 weeks ranked among the top 10 in the country. The lowest IU reached in the polls during the 2004 season was 13th.
While in the pool accomplishments are more recognized, Indiana is one of the top academic institutions in the country. The water polo program has done nothing to diminish that fact either. In 2004, the Hoosiers equaled a school-record with seven American Water Polo Association Academic All-Americans (Kristin Zernicke, Kandace Waldthaler, Janis Pardy, Emily Schmitt, Krista Peterson, Melissa Pietras and Jessica Goldner). In the last four years, the Hoosiers have had a total of 22 Academic All-American selections. Also in 2004, the Hoosiers were ranked among the top 10 in team grade point average. Indiana was the only team ranked among the top 20 in the final poll of the season to be ranked among the top 10 in team G.P.A.
Hoosiers Hosting the CWPA Eastern Championship
For the first time since joining the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Conference in 2001, the Indiana water polo program will play host to the conference championship. The CWPA Eastern Championship determines the conference champion and the institution that will receive the league automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Eastern Championship is set for Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, April 31.
The Hoosiers have placed in the top three of the CWPA Eastern Championship each of the last three seasons. In 2003, Indiana won its first conference title and earned the automatic bid to the NCAA Championships in La Jolla, Calif. In 2004, the Hoosiers defeated Brown in the third-place match at the Eastern Championship.
"Getting to host the conference championship is always an advantage," Indiana head coach Barry King said. "We have a top-flight facility and it is always nice to put that to use for the big events. I think we have a group that should compete for the conference championship. For a chance to host it and put that team in front of their home fans is definitely an advantage."
Indiana has placed in the top three in each of the last three CWPA Eastern Championships. The Hoosiers captured the title in 2003.
Midwest to Host Expanded NCAA Championship
Midwest water polo will also be on display at the 2005 NCAA Championship. The University of Michigan will host the 2005 Championship in the Canham Natatorium in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Championships are set for May 13 through May 15.
The NCAA expanded the Championship field to eight for the 2005 campaign. The NCAA has sponsored a national champion in women's water polo since 2001 and started its championship field at four teams. The 2005 Championship will mark the first time in the four-year history of the event that it will be held outside the state of California. The 2001 and 2004 NCAA Championship were hosted by Stanford, while the 2002 Championship was hosted by USC and the 2003 competition by UC-San Diego.
The Western Water Polo Association, Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, CWPA, Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference champions earn automatic bids to the eight-team field. The other three spots are at-large choices made by the water polo selection committee.
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