Indiana University Athletics
IU Water Polo Season Preview: The Attackers
1/22/2016 4:00:00 PM | Women's Water Polo
Myers leads a youth-filled attack into their 2016 campaign
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – After a long offseason, the 2016 NCAA water polo season begins tomorrow. The Hoosiers are building from a successful 2015 season, finishing with a No. 11 national ranking and amidst a three-way tie at the top of the CWPA. This season, head coach Barry King and the Hoosiers look to extend their success, with their sights set on the CWPA Championship and a return to the NCAA Championships in Los Angeles, Calif.
While the Hoosiers lost six valuable seniors to graduation over the summer, they return a group filled with talent across all classes and position groups. This week, IUHoosiers.com will breakdown this year's team by position, taking a look at the team's new leaders and new faces of Indiana Water Polo.
The majority of the youth on Indiana's 2016 squad lies in their attack position, but this group shows signs of a promising season. Led by Canadian junior international Sarah Myers, this Hoosier attack will provide valuable support to IU's centers on the offensive end.
"Sarah Myers is poised for a huge breakout year," King said. "Her work this summer was a direct result of her time with us last spring, and now that she's more comfortable as a go-to player, she's ready to accept that responsibility."
Expect Myers to be one of Candyce Schroeder's main targets this spring, as the senior center will look to work the attack through the two-meter line. Myers had a solid 22-goal, 26-assist, 39-steal freshman year, and King expects her production to increase this season.
"She's our stopper on defense and pushes the ball down the pool on counterattacks," King said. She's ready to be a threat on defense."
Freshman Kate Pipkin is another likely starter in King's first seven this year. Pipkin hails from Newport Beach, like her freshman teammate Kaybree Albright, where she played for water polo great Bill Barnett.
"Kate comes from a great high school background, and was taught by one of the best there ever was," King said. "She's dynamic and will contribute to our attack with her knowledge of the game, her ability to distribute, and her ability to finish."
Like any incoming freshman, Pipkin will have to gain a sense of playing at the college level. Once she does that, she'll help lay the groundwork for an attack that could play together for the next three seasons.
Sophomore Sarah Young will make the transition to attack this season. She'll move from the center of the attack to the perimeter, and her success will come as she familiarizes herself with the shift in responsibility.
"She hasn't spent this much time facing the goal in a long time," King said of his 6-1 sophomore. "If she can find comfort in that position, and gain an understanding for what's happening in front of her, she'll excel for us."
The advantage of a player like Young is her ability to bolster the central defense. With her length, the Hoosiers will have multiple options in their two-meter defense, as she can slide into that position with a sense of familiarity.
For junior Jordan Elwood, sophomore Emily Lowe, and freshman Mackenzie Rosenthal, the Hoosiers are in need of another player to step into a bigger role this season. After this offseason, they have an understanding of King's philosophy and will look to apply it in their supporting roles.
"Jordan, Emily, and Mackenzie are looking to take full advantage of their opportunities," King said. "They'll look to get time and get into a place where they can consistently contribute, and a lot of that will be proven on the defensive end."
Indiana's promising, young attack corps will begin their maturation into a force on the perimeter this Saturday, January 23, in their first game of the season against sixth-ranked Arizona State. The Hoosiers lost a hard-fought contest to the Sun Devils at last season's ASU Invitational, but they'll look to pick up some west coast wins in their four games against the Sun Devils this weekend.
While the Hoosiers lost six valuable seniors to graduation over the summer, they return a group filled with talent across all classes and position groups. This week, IUHoosiers.com will breakdown this year's team by position, taking a look at the team's new leaders and new faces of Indiana Water Polo.
The majority of the youth on Indiana's 2016 squad lies in their attack position, but this group shows signs of a promising season. Led by Canadian junior international Sarah Myers, this Hoosier attack will provide valuable support to IU's centers on the offensive end.
The Attackers: Jordan Elwood (Jr.), Emily Lowe (So.), Sarah Myers (So.), Sarah Young (So.), Kate Pipkin (Fr.), Mackenzie Rosenthal (Fr.)
Myers joined Hoosier defender Kelly Matthews in representing Canada at the 2015 World University Games this past summer. Myers tallied one goal, five assists, and four steals during Canada's run to the silver medal. Coach King believes this experience will help Myers turn a corner this season."Sarah Myers is poised for a huge breakout year," King said. "Her work this summer was a direct result of her time with us last spring, and now that she's more comfortable as a go-to player, she's ready to accept that responsibility."
Expect Myers to be one of Candyce Schroeder's main targets this spring, as the senior center will look to work the attack through the two-meter line. Myers had a solid 22-goal, 26-assist, 39-steal freshman year, and King expects her production to increase this season.
"She's our stopper on defense and pushes the ball down the pool on counterattacks," King said. She's ready to be a threat on defense."
Freshman Kate Pipkin is another likely starter in King's first seven this year. Pipkin hails from Newport Beach, like her freshman teammate Kaybree Albright, where she played for water polo great Bill Barnett.
"Kate comes from a great high school background, and was taught by one of the best there ever was," King said. "She's dynamic and will contribute to our attack with her knowledge of the game, her ability to distribute, and her ability to finish."
Like any incoming freshman, Pipkin will have to gain a sense of playing at the college level. Once she does that, she'll help lay the groundwork for an attack that could play together for the next three seasons.
Sophomore Sarah Young will make the transition to attack this season. She'll move from the center of the attack to the perimeter, and her success will come as she familiarizes herself with the shift in responsibility.
"She hasn't spent this much time facing the goal in a long time," King said of his 6-1 sophomore. "If she can find comfort in that position, and gain an understanding for what's happening in front of her, she'll excel for us."
The advantage of a player like Young is her ability to bolster the central defense. With her length, the Hoosiers will have multiple options in their two-meter defense, as she can slide into that position with a sense of familiarity.
For junior Jordan Elwood, sophomore Emily Lowe, and freshman Mackenzie Rosenthal, the Hoosiers are in need of another player to step into a bigger role this season. After this offseason, they have an understanding of King's philosophy and will look to apply it in their supporting roles.
"Jordan, Emily, and Mackenzie are looking to take full advantage of their opportunities," King said. "They'll look to get time and get into a place where they can consistently contribute, and a lot of that will be proven on the defensive end."
Indiana's promising, young attack corps will begin their maturation into a force on the perimeter this Saturday, January 23, in their first game of the season against sixth-ranked Arizona State. The Hoosiers lost a hard-fought contest to the Sun Devils at last season's ASU Invitational, but they'll look to pick up some west coast wins in their four games against the Sun Devils this weekend.
Players Mentioned
Center
/ Women's Water Polo
Attacker
/ Women's Water Polo
Attacker
/ Women's Water Polo
Defender
/ Women's Water Polo
Attacker
/ Women's Water Polo
Attacker
/ Women's Water Polo
Attacker
/ Women's Water Polo
Center
/ Women's Water Polo
Attacker
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