A California player blocks a shot by freshman attacker Izabella Chiappani at a home game on April 12. (Photo by Arianna Grainey)The No. 6 ASU water polo team (9-1) returns to California this weekend, where the Sun Devils will take part in the UC Irvine invitational.
UC Irvine is the only team to have beaten ASU, after a single point overtime loss in the Triton Invitational, breaking the Sun Devil’s perfect season.
ASU coach Todd Clapper is not too worried about the loss.
“The biggest thing was that I don't think anybody really trusted what they were supposed to be doing,” Clapper said. “They knew it, but they were afraid, and they would panic a little bit."
Clapper said this was to be expected with such a young team.
"With a lot of young players; that is going to happen," he said. "The teamwork may not be there as much as it is going to be with a veteran group. With that being said, our teamwork is so much better now. The communication is so much better, and everybody is starting to get over that hump."
The young players on the team are adjusting well to Clapper’s instruction and guidance, fixing errors that have been noticeable in their previous play.
“I think that part of it is that already this season we have some younger players that are being vaulted into some big moments and big positions,” Clapper said. “We made a lot of mistakes in all the games we played, but Irvine was a better opponent. After watching the game film, it is stuff that we are already correcting a week and a half later. We are responding well to it.”
The team as a whole is improving, coming closer together, communicating better, and adjusting to the smaller differences of college play, Clapper said. Even with such a talented young team, experience plays a factor how well a team is going to compete.
International players on the team have played in world youth and junior championships, but even they have to get used to collegiate play.
"Our tactics are very different from what they are used to, even just our numbering system and the language," Clapper said. "They have to translate it in their heads. There is a learning curve."
The Sun Devils will play their first matchup against San Diego State, which they edged out 12-11 in the Triton Invitational.
“That was a close one last time, so we are going to focus on that,” Clapper said. “We are focused on the first game because that gets us into the top eight, and from there we will focus on the later opponents.”
All season long, ASU’s top scorer sophomore attacker Izabella Chiappini has been putting up big numbers and performing very well at a high level, and is constantly improving.
“I’m really starting to see another level,” Clapper said. “She’s always been a good player. She's always been very physical, fast, and shoots the ball well. I’m starting to see a lot of those subtleties and creativity now. ... It’s really nice seeing her take that next step and really maturing into a world class player.”
The Sun Devils begin in the UC Irvine Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Reach the reporter at mtsteine@asu.edu or follow @MarcTSteiner on Twitter.
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