Indiana University Athletics
Defender Preview
11/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
Nov. 16, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Leading the way for Indiana this year at the defender position is senior Clare Meadows. Meadows has been a valuable asset to the Hoosiers for the past couple of seasons and will look to continue her strong play in 2006.
"Clare is a senior with a lot of experience," said Indiana head coach Barry King. "She is in great physical shape this year and has performed very well during fall practice."
In 2005, Meadows recorded 14 goals, 10 assists, and 39 steals for the Hoosiers. She has 91 career saves which ranks 11th on the Indiana career list.
While their primary positions will be attackers, senior Janis Pardy and junior Kristin Zernicke will also use their athleticism to play the defender position as well. Last year, Zernicke led the Hoosiers with 45 steals to go along with 19 goals and 34 assists. Sophomore Linda Calvert will play a role in the defensive attack along with newcomer Katie Parrish.
The Hoosiers will welcome a freshman to the defender position as well. Martha Schuessler, a product of Kirkwood High School in St. Louis, Mo., will add depth to the defender position for IU. Schuessler built an impressive high school career for herself at Kirkwood as she clamed the Missouri State Female Player of the Year in 2004. Schuessler played on the Boys' Water Polo team while at Kirkwood, for water polo is not offered as a girls' sport in Missouri.
"We will look for Martha to gain some valuable experience at the college level because she has the potential to have a very good career at the center defender position," King said.
