Every game is a war of attrition.

Using all of his 6-foot-6-inch, 230 pound, broad shouldered frame to overpower opposing defenders, Jeff Colyer punishes and physically dominates the enemy.

Although he plays as physical as a football tight end, he is not. His game is water polo, and in 1996, he led the 49ers in scoring.

"People blow it off as guys in Speedos swimming around and grabbing each other," Colyer said. "It's a really tough legitimate sport. You have to be in constant great shape."

He became interested in water polo at an early age. He started swimming at age 5, so water polo was just a natural evolution in water sports, Colyer said.

The junior 2-meter-man, who redshirted his freshman year, grew up in Stockton, where he attended Lincoln High School and quickly became a star.

He came to Cal State Long Beach because he liked Southern California, Colyer said.

"It's just a great atmosphere," he said.

Although he spends much of his time practicing and training, Colyer said he enjoys playing basketball and golf in his free time.

Any fan who has ever attended a CSULB men's water polo game knows that female fans constitute the majority of the cheering section.

"We meet a lot of girls. I don't have a girlfriend," Colyer said.

The CSULB women's water polo will begin action in the Spring of 1998. The freshman women water polo players are rather flirtatious, Colyer said.

"It will be good for everyone. It helps add a little more credibility to the school," Colyer said. "Other major programs have both men's and women's teams."

With a 1-4 record, The Beach hopes to improve on a disappointing start to the season.

"Except for the USC games, we've beaten ourselves. I have no doubt that we can beat any team in the country. We just have to prove it to ourselves because we're so young," Colyer said of the youthful roster.

CSULB head coach Ken Lindgren will help guide the team through its shaky start.

"He's annoying sometimes, but he's always right," Colyer said of Lindgren. "He knows water polo better than anyone I've ever met."

Colyer is a fourth-year student majoring in finance. He said he is considering becoming a financial analyst, or possibly a stock broker.

"I love being down here. I love water polo, and the team is great."