|
sports:
men's water polo
Hopes high for
polo
By Ben Dimapindan
On-line Forty-Niner
A prolific offense
infused with a quick, blitzing defense could have the Long
Beach State men's water polo team on the road to success this
season.
Last year, The
Beach earned its first winning season since 1991 with an overall
record of 15-13, finishing in fifth place (4-4) in the tough
Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
With a strong core
of returning players and plenty of new talent, the LBSU squad
is prepared to make a big splash in the MPSF standings this
season.
"I hate predictions,
but I definitely think we'll have good results this year,"
Head Coach Rick Azevedo said. "We went 15-13 last year,
which was nice, but I expect a much better record this year."
The 49ers return
their top five scorers from a year ago, including senior driver
Chris Segesman, whose team-high 50 goals last season earned
him First Team All-American and First Team All-MPSF honors.
Junior driver Justin
Jewell, who racked up 38 goals last year and was named Honorable
Mention All-MPSF, will add another threat to the versatile
LBSU offense.
"I'm not really
concerned about our offense, I think were very strong there,"
Azevedo said. "This offense will be as potent as any
offense that Long Beach State has had."
In addition to
the returnees, 49ers have reinforced every position with stellar
junior college transfers and freshman recruits. Among them
is junior college transfer Max Aguilar, a top-flight two-meter
man who started for Mexico in the Pan American Games.
"[Aguilar]
is definitely a quality player," Azevedo said. "He'll
be somebody who'll solidify the [two-meter] position.
"We already have [sophomore] Nathan Allard, who
is one of the top two-meter men in college right now. That
will give us a strong tandem at the two-meter positions."
Allard scored 28
goals last year as a freshman.
Despite the 49ers'
offensive arsenal, the path to victory this season will be
forged by the team's defense, according to Azevedo. Quickness
will be used to tally goals, but it will also be used to suffocate
offensive strategies of opponents.
"This is a
very fast team," Azevedo said, "and they take a
lot of pride in their defense.
"I think people
will be surprised because we'll be more of a defensive team
to the counter, and the offense will just take care of itself."
Senior goalie Brett
Adolph, who will start for the 49ers, and backup Michael Konstas,
a redshirt freshman, will anchor the LBSU defense.
"They're both
very solid goalies," Azevedo said, "and I feel comfortable
with both of them in the water."
The 49ers open
the 2001 season in a scrimmage involving USC and UC Irvine
Sept. 2 at the Los Alamitos Naval Base pool and open the regular
season with a MPSF contest on the road against USC Saturday
Sept. 8.
|
