2008 Woodie Awards
Water polo looking to hit stride in final season
By Rebecca Olesky
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 3/3/06 Section: Sports Extra
The Slippery Rock University women's water polo team ended last season with a record of 14-20 and this season the team started out 2-8.
This past weekend, the Rock lost all four games in the Bucknell Invitational.
"We showed flashes of being able to play, we just didn't follow through," coach Jim Yeamans said.
Sophomore driver Erika Brunner scored two goals and earned one assist, one steal, and caused four kick-outs in the 11-4 loss to Marist. She also scored three goals and earned two steals in the 11-5 loss to Maryland. She scored two goals and caused a kick-out in a 17-4 loss to Wagner and scored two goals, caused a steal and a kickout in a 9-6 loss to Siena.
Freshman Emily Campbell scored a goal against Marist and Wagner, while sophomore driver Beth Choike scored two goals against Siena and freshman Heather Walbright scored one goal in the game against Siena to help the Rock effort.
Yeamans said team needs to play with more consistentcy.
"We need to learn to play consistently in games and to stay motivated and in the game," Yeamans said. "We certainly have talent."
Yeamans said the team's focus is to give the game the same effort that it always does.
"We have an opportunity to capitalize and we don't want to miss it,"
Yeamans said.
Players to look out for this season include Brunner, Choike, Campbell and Walbright.
"In order to be successful every girl on the team has to contribute to the team effort," Yeamans said.
"Heather Walbright and Emily Campbell are great players and are always willing to help out," freshman Stacey Henry said.
Choike said the team has a never say die attitude.
"A lot of girls are not afraid to put the ball in the net and have a strong defense," Choike said.
The team is looking to improve upon last season's record.
"People should look at our dedication, not the scores, but what we put into it," Leibolt said.
Every player has goals they want to accomplish before this final season ends.
"We want to compete as long as we can to get a championship and we want to be a varsity sport again next year," Choike said.
On Saturday at 12:30, the Rock plays No. 19 Indiana and No. 12 Michigan at 4:15 in the CWPA Western Division action at Washington & Jefferson.
This past weekend, the Rock lost all four games in the Bucknell Invitational.
"We showed flashes of being able to play, we just didn't follow through," coach Jim Yeamans said.
Sophomore driver Erika Brunner scored two goals and earned one assist, one steal, and caused four kick-outs in the 11-4 loss to Marist. She also scored three goals and earned two steals in the 11-5 loss to Maryland. She scored two goals and caused a kick-out in a 17-4 loss to Wagner and scored two goals, caused a steal and a kickout in a 9-6 loss to Siena.
Freshman Emily Campbell scored a goal against Marist and Wagner, while sophomore driver Beth Choike scored two goals against Siena and freshman Heather Walbright scored one goal in the game against Siena to help the Rock effort.
Yeamans said team needs to play with more consistentcy.
"We need to learn to play consistently in games and to stay motivated and in the game," Yeamans said. "We certainly have talent."
Yeamans said the team's focus is to give the game the same effort that it always does.
"We have an opportunity to capitalize and we don't want to miss it,"
Yeamans said.
Players to look out for this season include Brunner, Choike, Campbell and Walbright.
"In order to be successful every girl on the team has to contribute to the team effort," Yeamans said.
"Heather Walbright and Emily Campbell are great players and are always willing to help out," freshman Stacey Henry said.
Choike said the team has a never say die attitude.
"A lot of girls are not afraid to put the ball in the net and have a strong defense," Choike said.
The team is looking to improve upon last season's record.
"People should look at our dedication, not the scores, but what we put into it," Leibolt said.
Every player has goals they want to accomplish before this final season ends.
"We want to compete as long as we can to get a championship and we want to be a varsity sport again next year," Choike said.
On Saturday at 12:30, the Rock plays No. 19 Indiana and No. 12 Michigan at 4:15 in the CWPA Western Division action at Washington & Jefferson.
