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Sun Devils aim for first conference win during final home weekend

LAST HOORAH: ASU freshman center Shannon Haas gets ready to pass during the Sun Devils' 14-5 loss to USC last weekend at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center. ASU will face San Diego State and Indiana in its final regular-season home games this weekend. (Photo by Scott Stuk)
LAST HOORAH: ASU freshman center Shannon Haas gets ready to pass during the Sun Devils' 14-5 loss to USC last weekend at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center. ASU will face San Diego State and Indiana in its final regular-season home games this weekend. (Photo by Scott Stuk)

The ASU water polo team wraps up the 2010 regular season this weekend with home matchups against No. 14 San Diego State (18-12) and No. 15 Indiana (17-6).

The No. 9 Sun Devils (15-11) kick off their final weekend at home against SDSU on Saturday in their final MPSF contest of the regular season.

Both ASU and SDSU are seeking their first MPSF conference victory this season, and ASU must defeat the Aztecs to avoid a winless season in conference play.

“San Diego [State] is our biggest rival in the conference,” ASU assistant coach Ryan Castle said. “It’s always a very feisty and close battle between us.”

ASU is trying to avenge last year’s losses against the Aztecs, as the Sun Devils were defeated in all three of the matchups between the two teams during the 2009 campaign.

This year’s SDSU squad features a younger look than in years past. The Aztecs’ top three goal scorers are underclassmen, led by freshman Amber Pezzolla’s 49 goals.

“They aren’t as big as they were last year, they have really strong freshmen,” Castle said.

On Sunday, ASU will jump into the pool in a nonconference battle against the IU.

“They have a lot of talent, and play a different type of game than what we see in the MPSF,” Castle said. “Every time we have played them, it’s been close.”

The Hoosier squad comes to Tempe having won 11 of its previous 15 games.

“They are very tenacious and well-coached by Barry King,” Castle said. “They are a developing team, one of the top East Coast teams.”

Sunday’s matchup is not only the final home game of the season for ASU, but it is also Senior Day. ASU will honor the three graduating seniors who will be playing in their final game at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center.

“Traditionally, our Senior Day is usually one of the best games,” Castle said. “It adds extra drama and suspense to the game.”

After four years, ASU will say goodbye to center Kari Walsh, attacker Bonnie Miles, and center Kelly Phelps.

“It will be bittersweet,” Walsh said. “I have enjoyed my experience here. It is sad to know you won’t be playing again or aren’t a part of this team anymore.”

With the clock winding down on their ASU careers, the seniors look back on their time in Tempe with fond memories.

“My sophomore year was the closest team we have had,” Walsh said. “We beat USC, and that was a pretty big accomplishment. We broke history by beating them. We played for each other.”

Reach the reporter at gregory.dillard@asu.edu


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