Water Polo Invite attracts competition

By Gina Massetani

Teams congregated from all over the nation; the Bronco Invite brought the competition to Santa Clara waters. After finding themselves on the losing end in three of the four games, the Broncos realized these waters were tested.

Women's water polo (11-16) struggled to gain momentum despite playing in front of a home crowd.

Santa Clara faced off against CSU Bakersfield, UC San Diego, No 7. San Jose State and No. 5 University of Hawaii. UC San Diego and CSU Bakersfield are in the Western Water Polo Association, WWPA, along with the Broncos.

Although Santa Clara topped CSU Bakersfield 6-5 in the opener, the final three games proved to be less noteworthy, falling to UC San Diego 9-8, San Jose State 13-3 and Hawaii 12-3.

"Our number one goal in the invite was to beat Bakersfield and we did that in the first day," said senior utility player Taylor Harkins.  "I think we saw that we could beat San Diego, and we have the opportunity to play them again which gives us the confidence to know we can beat them."

Head Coach Keith Wilbur added, "San Diego is the number two team in our conference and it was a game that could have gone either way. We showed them that we are capable of beating them."

The physical aspect of the invite was of a completely different spectrum than what the Broncos were accustomed to. White, Harkins and Wilbur explained that one player received a concussion, while several players admitted to being punched multiple times.

"The physicality of playing the fifth ranked team and the seventh ranked team was very difficult," said Harkins.

"We have a certain game plan that we like to stick to defensively, but on the offensive side I think there are certain things we have to focus on with different teams," added Hilbur. "Hawaii and San Jose are physical teams so we have to swim, use our speed and be scrappy."

Comprised of 24 players, Santa Clara has worked diligently this season to improve on defense.

Additionally, the team has been working with a sports psychologist in the athletic department to improve team attitude and dynamics.

"We have really come together," said White. "Each game we play everyone has each other's backs more and more. We have good team chemistry both in and out of the pool."

The Broncos only have nine upperclassmen on the team but Wilbur feels that the seniors have done an excellent job of getting everyone to the same level of play.

"There are a lot of young players this year and I think the senior class has done a great job of leading the way and setting the tone," explained Hilbur.

"Last year teams could have taken one player out of the game and it could have really hurt us," he continued. "However, this year if teams take one or two players out we have a lot of other girls who will step up and score. We have a more well-rounded team."

Santa Clara only has three weeks left in the season. Focusing on their conference seeding, the team realizes the importance of beating CSU Bakersfield again, in addition to Colorado, if the team is to have a shot at a good position in the first round of playoffs.

With smiles on their faces, both Harkins and White explained the team's goal is to win WWPAs.

"That's always our number one goal," said Harkins. "Especially as seniors we really want to see it happen."

Added White, "I think this team has the ability to win. We have some great speed and great talent and people are really coming into their own right now."

The Broncos finish up their home games against UC Davis on April 23.  

Contact Gina Massetani at gmassetani@scu.edu or (408) 551-1918.