Indiana University Athletics
Attacker Preview
11/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
Nov. 16, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - In what is the deepest position for the Hoosiers this year, the attacker position will be anchored by senior Janis Pardy. In 2005, Pardy led Indiana with 39 assists on the year, the fourth best total in school history. She also notched 30 goals to go along with 39 steals.
"Janis had a terrific season last year in which she really grew as a player," Indiana head coach Barry King said. "Her confidence continued to grow as she became our number one scoring choice on the perimeter."
Pardy is complemented by junior Kristin Zernicke. Zernicke posted impressive numbers in 2005 as well leading the Hoosiers in steals (45) and recording 34 assists next to 19 goals. Zernicke started all but one of Indiana's 34 games last year. Her season was highlighted by a two-goal performance against then No. 10 San Jose State during the Fluid Five Challenge. Zernicke took home player of the week honors from the CWPA after leading the Hoosiers to a 3-0 mark during the 2005 Fluid Five.
King will look for Zernicke to improve even more in 2006.
"Kristin is ready to take on more of a role as the director of the offense and add more of a scoring punch to her game," King said.
The Hoosiers also return one of their most experience players at the attacker in senior Bridget McKeon. Over her three-year career at IU, McKeon has played in 93 matches, scoring 47 goals with 40 assists and 84 steals.
"Bridget will add a lot of depth at many positions," King said. "She has the best set of utility skills on the team and will be a presence both on the defensive end and on the counter attack."
Junior Kara Woolley and sophomore Brittany Estrada will be important post-up attack players for the Hoosiers. Woolley turned in a solid performance during her sophomore campaign, as she posted 15 goals, eight assists, and 25 steals. After an encouraging freshman year (10 goals, eight assists, 11 steals), Estrada will look to establish herself as a scoring threat for IU.
"Kara and Brittany are players that can score in a number of ways," King said. "They are legitimate threats when facing the goal along the perimeter or when they are driving in and posting up."
Junior transfer Brooke Zimmerman will also provide Indiana with a large scoring punch. Zimmerman comes to the Hoosiers after playing for the Canadian Junior Women's National team that won the World Championships in 2003. As a member of the Calgary Renegades club team, Zimmerman was awarded Senior Women's MVP in both 2004 and 2005. She joins former Canadian Junior National teammates Zernicke and Pardy in the Hoosiers fold.
"Brooke is a very talented outside shooter and a very heady offensive player with some great international experience," King said. "She will provide us with quite a few options on the outside, between her, Pardy and Zernicke, the trio will give us a nice set of attackers that can handle the ball and score from anywhere."
Junior Jaclyn Tameris will provide the Hoosiers with added depth at the attacker position. Tameris has played defender in previous seasons for Indiana, but will look to take on more minutes on the offensive end in 2006. Freshmen Emma Stillman comes to IU after four successful years at Suffield Academy in Virginia Beach, Va. Stillman was named MVP for Suffield Academy in both 2004 and 2005.
"Emma has shown some very good skills along the perimeter during fall workouts," King said. "She has good size and speed, and the more she gets used to the college level game, the better she will be."
