Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.

Water polo eyes upset against No. 3 Cal

BIG SHOWDOWN: The ASU water polo team practices at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center earlier this season. The Sun Devils will host No. 3 California on Saturday. (Photo by Kyle Thompson)
BIG SHOWDOWN: The ASU water polo team practices at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center earlier this season. The Sun Devils will host No. 3 California on Saturday. (Photo by Kyle Thompson)

MPSF conference play continues this weekend for the ASU water polo team as it hosts No. 3 California at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center.

The No. 9 Sun Devils (15-9) hope to repeat history and upset the Golden Bears (20-5) at home, just as they did in 2008. Two seasons ago, ASU battled then-No. 4 California team in a MPSF showdown. The Sun Devils fought for all four quarters, eventually upsetting the Golden Bears by a final score of 8-7.

“It shows were we have come as a program, from 2002 to 2008, to get that win,” ASU coach Todd Clapper said. “This team is the strongest we have ever had. We are excited to have them at home again. We are confident that in the end we can come out on top.”

The Sun Devil offense hopes to continue its scoring success against Cal, as ASU has netted 49 goals in its last four games.

Freshman center Shannon Haas has burst onto the scene for the Sun Devils in 2010 and was named MPSF Mikasa Newcomer of the Week on Monday after tallying eight goals in the Arizona State Invitational last weekend.

“We knew she was going to be a top player for us and this league,” Clapper said of Haas. “She has taken on any challenge she’s gotten and is doing a great job scoring goals out of center. I’m very excited about the progress she has made.”

The Sun Devils are coming off a 3-1 performance at the Arizona State Invitational last weekend and are motivated heading into this week’s game.

“We are a lot more confident, and we have been preparing more for this game,” sophomore attacker Kelsey White said. “We are working on our strengths and are working hard to prove ourselves.”

ASU will face a red-hot Golden Bear squad that is riding a six-game winning streak and features a strong offensive attack.

“Cal has a lot more speed, and they drive more,” White said. “They’ve got very good outside shooters and have a lot of strengths.”

The Sun Devils aim to fight the strong offensive attack from California with a tough defense.

“We need to focus on our defense and focus on the little things,” White said. “We have to concentrate the whole game.”

The Sun Devils faced the Golden Bears earlier in 2010 at the Stanford Invitational and were defeated by a score of 12-6.

“That was pretty early — players have gotten more experience and there is less that surprises us as a team and as individuals,” Clapper said. “We expect Cal to have grown as well.”

As the season progresses, Clapper continues to push his team to improve.

“The little adjustments we have made in practice they have picked up quickly,” Clapper said. “We have bounced back. We are doing a heck of a lot better.”

This weekend’s matchup will be only the fifth home game of the season for ASU, and its second conference match.

The Sun Devils are hoping to shock the Golden Bears once again.

“We know their players pretty well, and their strong offensive players,” Clapper said. “We are prepared for that. We are fired up and ready to come out strong at home.”

Reach the reporter at gregory.dillard@asu.edu


Continue supporting student journalism and donate to The State Press today.

Subscribe to Pressing Matters



×

Notice

This website uses cookies to make your experience better and easier. By using this website you consent to our use of cookies. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.