Men's water polo team ranked No. 7 in nation

The Long Beach State men's water polo earned seventh in the 2000 Men's Collegiate Top 20 Poll released last Wednesday.

"Actually, I thought it could have been a little higher," said Head Coach Rick Azevedo last Thursday.   "This is the best defensive team I've ever had. We lost a lot of firepower from last season, so that's why I think people are putting us seventh. I think they don't realize we actually have a pretty good young group."

Men's waterpolo

Other universities competing in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation ranked high as well, including the defending national champions UCLA, who claimed the top spot.

Because of the high level of competition within LBSU's conference, Azevedo said every game this season will be crucial.

"Every week we'll be playing a Top 10 team," he said. "Every game is our season."

Despite the difficult schedule, Azevedo said he expects the squad to fare extremely well in the 2000 campaign.

"If the players can gel tactically quick enough, I think we can achieve some outstanding results," he said. "I have a lot of depth with this group, it's going to be a fun season."