2010 Season Preview: Indiana Water Polo

1/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo

Jan. 14, 2010

SEASON PREVIEW
The Indiana University water polo team will kick off their 13th varsity season next weekend at the Michigan Kick-Off in Ann Arbor, Mich., as they look to build on a solid 2009 campaign in which the Hoosiers finished with a 21-16 overall record and a 6-1 mark in CWPA Western Division play. Head coach Barry King's squad returns 16 letterwinners and six starters, including 70 percent of their scoring from last season.

The Hoosiers will look for offensive production from a variety of players this season, as they employ a balanced attack much like the 2009 team. Juniors Kelsey Campbell, Nicole Redder, and Lauren Wyckoff have scored with regularity during their first two years at Indiana and will be expected to play key roles again this season.

Campbell, an All-CWPA First Team selection a season ago, provides the Hoosiers with a consistent threat from the perimeter. She finished the 2009 season with 32 goals and 24 assists.

Redder brings a great deal of athleticism to the Hoosier lineup, and is relied upon offensively and defensively. She led the team in steals last season with 63. Redder could also see some action at the center position.

Wyckoff, a versatile utility player, will see time both inside and outside this season. She is the leading returning scorer for the Hoosiers, after racking up 42 scores during her sophomore season. Wyckoff, along with fellow juniors Kara Butler and Kate Dunn, will get the majority of the touches at the center position.

"We will be expecting a little more out of the people who have had a certain amount of individual success, such as Lauren Wyckoff, Nicole Redder, and Kelsey Campbell," said King. "They will all contribute for us. We're going to use Kate Dunn more at center than we have in the past. We'll look for heightened contributions from Kara Butler in the center position as well. I also see Jakie Köhli doing more things offensively for us this year."

Köhli, the 2009 CWPA Western Division Rookie-of-the-Year, proved to be a valuable defensive stopper throughout her freshman campaign. She also showed the potential to be a dominant offensive player as the season progressed. Sophomore defender Hanna Eimstad will also look to improve on a solid freshman season that included 11 starts. Eimstad finished the year with 11 goals, 19 assists, and 19 steals.

Senior Kelly Palmberg will also be vital to the team's success. Palmberg, a steady attacker, has started 69 games over the past two seasons. Her experience and poise will be instrumental as the Hoosiers compete with many of the top teams in the nation.

"Kelly has really had a terrific fall and her progression has been well received," said King. "I think she will take a large responsibility, as far as being a leader."

Junior Katie Black, a transfer from Sierra Junior College, will look to make an impact in her first season as a Hoosier. Black, an attacker, comes to Indiana after two All-Conference seasons at Sierra.

"I think Katie Black is going to be able to contribute offensively, especially putting pressure on people going down the pool in the counter attack," said King.

Junior Jenna Roe, another newcomer to the squad, will look to provide depth at the center position. Roe comes to Indiana after two All-American campaigns at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, Calif.

"Jenna has a good background, as far as coaches she's played for and fundamental skills," said King. "As soon as she can get up to speed as far as the level of competition then we expect her to be able to do some things for us."

Senior Nicole Sands returns after notching 11 goals during her junior year. She has racked up 46 goals throughout her Hoosier career. Also looking to get in the mix are sophomore attackers Lisa Andrews, Megan Jacobs, Sara Joseph, Dana Mayeron, and Allison Silver.

The Hoosiers welcome back two talented goalkeepers that split time in the cage last season in senior Katie Carson and sophomore Cassie Wyckoff. Carson, a two-time All-CWPA Second Team honoree, set the school's single-game saves record last season with 21 stops against UC Santa Cruz. Wyckoff performed at a high level during her debut season, notching 195 saves and making 22 starts, while also collecting a pair of CWPA Western Division Rookie-of-the-Week honors.

"I think the goalkeeper position has gone from one of uncertainty to probably our main strength," King said. "Katie's been with us for awhile and showed really nice progress last year when stepping into some difficult positions. Cassie had a fantastic summer and is geared up to have a great season."

Newcomers to the team, along with Black and Roe, are freshmen Kayla Allen, Liza Dernehl, Kym King, Megan McAuley, and Jenna Lee Tameris. Allen will redshirt during the 2010 season.

PRESEASON POLLS
The CWPA has released the preseason polls and the Hoosiers will open the season as the 19th ranked team in the nation. Last season, Indiana spent 13 consecutive weeks in the Varsity Top 20, landing as high as 16th on April 22.

The Hoosiers will also start the season in the fourth spot in the CWPA Division I Poll. Hartwick and Michigan are tied for the top spot, while Brown occupies the third position.

A LOOK AHEAD
The season will get underway on January 23-24 at the Michigan Kick-Off in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Hoosiers will take on No. 3 UCLA, winners of five consecutive NCAA titles, on Saturday at 9:45 a.m. ET and No. 6 San Jose State at 5:00 p.m. ET. They will then meet Colorado State on Sunday at 11:45 a.m. ET to wrap up the weekend. Check back at IUHoosiers.com next week for a full preview of the Michigan Kick-Off.

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