Even as an undefeated season continues to unfold for ASU water polo, the team continues to practice harder with the ultimate goal of attaining the No. 1 rank.
The quality of practice remains consistent for the No. 6 Sun Devils (8-0), but they are beginning to add elements of offense to the regime.
“Defense is still the foundation that will decide, at the end of the year, whether we win, so it’s important for us to get excited about that and play better defense,” coach Todd Clapper said.
The Sun Devils are gaining momentum as the season progresses, but it’s only February.
“Everyone understands this weekend, it’ll get harder and keep getting harder,” Clapper said. “We need to continue to train hard so we can keep winning games. When we’re looking ahead, thinking about what’s going to happen next, instead of right in the moment, we play a lot better. I’d like to see us consistently do that.”
The players are taking the intensity up a few notches and looking forward to putting everything they have practiced into action for the upcoming games.
Clapper said this weekend is a championship-style tournament where each game will get tougher as the team progresses.
“As a team, we’re trying to make sure we do our defense correctly and make sure we focus on doing everything we’re supposed to,” freshman Makenzy Fowler said. “We’ve been working really hard on that.”
Junior Shannon Haas echoed her teammate.
“Defense will win the game,” Haas said.
A key element of defense is anticipation, where being able to predict where a player will make a move is vital.
Haas said positioning is another important aspect of defense. Being in the right position in the pool will affect where the ball is thrown and how the offense will react.
“We’ve been making sure we do well in counter attack and getting into the right spots,” Fowler said. “We’re never resting on defense and we’re always prepared for any drives.”
Clapper continues to emphasize the importance of strong defensive play to the team’s overall success.
“I want to see everybody play great defense, passionate defense. And I want to see people being very assertive on offense as well as dictating to the offense when we’re on defense, what they’re going to do and what we’re going to allow them to do,” Clapper said.
The Sun Devils have had their fair share of struggles this season because of injuries and personal issues, but they are remaining optimistic and determined.
Clapper understands inconsistencies affect the team’s ability to practice at full strength, but they’re beyond the team’s control. However, they have the power to control what they do and how they practice.
“We know the competition is starting to get more difficult and we’re really motivated to step up and come together,” Fowler said. “(We want to) come out as the champions.”
The Sun Devils will hit the road this weekend to play in the UCSD Tournament in San Diego.
Reach the reporter at fawade@asu.edu
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