While most ASU students were enjoying the sun and rest that comes with Spring Break, the ASU women's water polo team was hard at work preparing for the rest of the season.
"We didn't have a week off," coach Todd Clapper said.
Instead of resting and relaxing, the Sun Devils (10-6, 2-2 MPSF) were forced to attend practice every day.
"It was a time of the season where we had to give it a little extra boost," Clapper said.
The reason for all the preparation was to ready the team for the rest of the season -- a season that will pick back up this weekend as the Devils play host to a pair of top-25 foes.
"We got back to organizing things a little bit better," Clapper said. "Sometimes, when adversity comes in a game, we kind of get away from what we're trying to do."
The first test this weekend will be against No. 17 Cal State Northridge (11-13, 1-7 MPSF). The Sun Devils will look to get out ahead early and continue their dominance at home.
"For whatever reason, playing here does seem to make a difference for the team," Clapper said. "They feel more comfortable and they can kind of relax a little bit in their routine."
That home-field advantage will be tested on Sunday when ASU hosts undefeated and top-ranked USC (16-0, 5-0 MPSF).
The Trojans are led by an offense that scores six more goals than their opponents per game.
USC will most likely give ASU goalie Caylinn Wallace a workout, as she faces a large amount of shots per game as it is.
Currently, Wallace ranks second in the nation with 135 saves.
"She's a huge strength for us," Clapper said of Wallace. "When we have breakdowns on defense she's made some amazing saves for us to win games."
Track and Field
Sun Angel Stadium will play host as the ASU Invitational is set to begin today. The field is comprised of 13 schools as well as several unattached entrants.
Leading ASU for the women will be Sarah Stevens and April Kubishta, who both set impressive marks last weekend.
Stevens moved into second place on the ASU all-time lists by becoming only the second Sun Devil to break the 200-foot barrier in the hammer throw.
Kubishta added her name to the ASU lists as well, recording the third-highest mark in the pole vault when she cleared 3.8 meters.
For the men last week, the strength was in the sprints, where they won five out of the seven events.
Domenik Peterson and Kelvin Love Jr. led the team, as they won the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes, respectively.
Aaron Aguayo will also get a chance at defending his two-time Pac-10 championship in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
Reach the reporter at william.hayes@asu.edu.
