Indiana University Athletics
Catching Up with Cassie Wyckoff
4/21/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
April 21, 2010
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -
Sophomore goalkeeper Cassie Wyckoff sat down with IUHoosiers.com for a question and answer session as the No. 15 Indiana Hoosiers (18-9) prepare for the upcoming CWPA Western Division Championship on Saturday, April 24 in Ann Arbor, Mich. The No. 2 seed Hoosiers will take on No. 3 seed Mercyhurst at 11:30 a.m. ET, and the winner will advance to take on the victor between No. 1 seed Michigan and No. 4 seed Gannon.
Wyckoff has anchored the Indiana defense in 20 games during the 2010 regular season, including 18 starts. She has amassed 174 saves and 23 steals in 506 minutes of action during her sophomore campaign. Wyckoff has notched double-digit saves in eight contests this season while also dishing out eight assists.
On the difference this season after a full year of college water polo experience:
"I think I definitely have a better feel for my teammates compared to last year. Going from high school and club water polo to Division One water polo is a big step so it was just that adjustment and getting used to the girls on the team."
On the most important aspect of being a goalkeeper:
"I think the most important aspect is communicating defense to your teammates. I basically call the plays out and try to keep everyone on the same page. Communication is definitely a big factor in having a good team defense and it's something I try to concentrate on in the pool."
On team chemistry:
"I think each individual player on the team really understands their role and position on the team. It's easier for us to communicate amongst each other with what we expect out of one another. We all have a great understanding of that and it really helps."
On taking confidence from the win against No. 14 San Diego State:
"It definitely brought up our confidence as a team. In that game, our strategy was to take advantage of their weaknesses and that's exactly what we did. So knowing that and having that mentality, we can go forward and take advantage of other teams weaknesses."
On aggressiveness coming out of the cage for steals:
"It's something that I practiced a lot before coming to Indiana. This year I've worked on that as well. We have to come together as a team and focus on strategically the best way to avoid the other team scoring, which means more steals out of set and less shots on the cage."
On her main goal for the postseason:
"I definitely want to focus on playing my game and working together as a team. I just want us to do as well as we can and end our season on a good note."
