![CSU Reunion Game [exh.]](https://images.sidearmdev.com/convert?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdxbhsrqyrr690.cloudfront.net%2Fsidearm.nextgen.sites%2Fcsurams.com%2Fimages%2Flogos%2FCSU-Ram-357-617.png&type=webp)
Colorado State University Athletics
Rams begin water polo season Saturday
1/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
Jan. 23, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
By Zach Balside
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - After starting the season with three exhibition wins in November, The CSU Rams women's water polo team is hoping to bring that success on the road.
The Rams will head to Ann Arbor, Mich., this weekend to take part in the annual Michigan Kickoff tournament, which is considered by many in the water polo community as one of the most prestigious season-opening tournaments. "Just being in Michigan, playing there, is a big deal," assistant coach Mike Moody said.
The tournament is a great way for the Rams and all other teams competing to test out what they have been practicing and preparing for since fall.
"A lot of people are looking at this tournament to see where they're at," Moody said.
There are many highly ranked and well respected teams participating in this tournament, including four-time national champion UCLA. The Rams will play four schools this weekend, three of which are ranked in the preseason top 25. The Rams will open their season playing Arizona State, Michigan, Indiana and Bucknell, and expect to be pushed hard in all four events.
"They'll be physical and strong," Moody said. "They'll play an up-tempo game."
Moody and the rest of the team are looking at this weekend not only as a way to measure how far they've come, but to also help gauge how far they can go, especially once they start playing conference opponents. So to try to best achieve their goals, a lot of effort and hard work is expected out of the athletes this weekend.
"We're going to be challenged," Moody said. "We'll be tough and physical with the other teams. We won't back down from anybody."
Regardless of the stiff competition the Rams are going to face, expectations are still optimistic for the weekend. "We had a great three-week winter training," Moody said. "We're prepared mentally and physically for the tournament. The last three weeks have made us ready to go."
On top of a successful winter training session, the Rams gained some early confidence and experience by participating in the inaugural Colorado Cup tournament in Aurora, Colo.
Between both that exhibition tournament and extensive training and practice, the Rams believe they are more ready than ever for the challenges that lie before them.
"They're physically fit, and they're strong," Moody said. "As long as we can stick together and play to our strengths, we can compete."
Although upsetting a top 20 team like Arizona State, Indiana, or Michigan is a monumental task, the team does not feel as though it is impossible. The Rams believe they have the tools to put a scare into those elite teams.
Every team in sports needs a key player or two that can step up and put the team on their shoulders to help carry them to the playoffs, and this Rams team is no different. Moody knows of a couple players on this squad that can do that. Senior Emily Chambers figures to be huge for the Rams this season. The lone senior on a young team, Chambers must excel in and out of the pool to help lead this team. Chambers enters the season ranked high on many records lists for Colorado State, and should advance even farther as this season treads on.
Goalie Krystyna McCright, who was the Western Water Polo Association's Newcomer of the Year in 2007, hopes to continue to improve and be one of the premier goalies in the conference.
Sophomore attacker Ali Pavlik is also being looked upon by coaches as being a fixture on this team for this season and years to come. She is the Rams' leading returning goal scorer and will be relied upon again to fill the net. "Ali has really stood out and is coming into her own," Moody said.
It can be said with confidence that the Rams are more than ready for their season to get underway. "We are very excited to start playing and be tested," Moody said.
Since the program's birth in 2005, the Rams have come a long way. That distance cannot only be measured in wins and losses, but also in being recognized by the rest of the water polo community. Being invited to this tournament is a huge step forward for this team.
"We are gaining that respect," Moody said. "People are noticing us."
