WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 1999

Water squad ecstatic

By Tyler Hemstreet

On-Line Forty-Niner

After squeaking its way into the Collegiate Nationals via an at-large bid, the Long Beach State women's water polo team is preparing for the challenge.

"We knew that there were two at-large bids to the tournament," said Coach Sandy Vessey Schneider. "We had the toughest road to the tournament, so I knew we had a chance to get one of the spots."

There was a wave of excitement among the players because of the tournament berth.

"We were ecstatic," said team captain Stacy Black when the team learned of the bid.

The 49ers will open the tournament against sixth ranked San Diego State. Long Beach is 1-1 against the Aztecs this season.

Vessey-Schneider said the girls have responded well to scrimmages against the men's water polo team by playing physical.

"That will be the key to beating San Diego State, we have to make them play our game," she said. "The last few games we played have been very physical - scratched arms, broken feet, torn suits, black eyes. It has really been a battle."

The battle at nationals will start May 7 at UC Davis.