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Colorado State University Athletics
Water polo season review: Rams succeed in, out of pool
5/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
May 26, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format 
By Zach Balside
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The Rams water polo team finished the season 16-17, including an 11-7 conference record, to finish sixth in the Western Water Polo Association, the highest the program has ever finished in its five-year history. Yet there were even more achievements than that this season, in and out of the pool.
"There were so many highlights," coach Mike Moody said. "Our team won the Cans Around the Oval. Having four girls recognized with conference awards was a great thing. Finishing sixth overall for the season was the best we've ever done."
Individually, several players on the team were recognized with honors for their accomplishments both in and out of the pool. Sophomore Alison Pavlik, whose 64 goals was the third-highest season total in school history, was named to the all-WWPA second team. Krystyna McCright, the school's career saves leader, was named to the honorable mention all-WWPA team. Kallie Berry, a freshman who finished third on the team in scoring with 41 goals, earned all-freshman honors from the conference. Senior Emily Chambers had a terrific conference tournament and earned second-team all-conference honors.
"McCright is just solid, year after year," Moody said. "Every practice every game, you know she's going to be there for the team, Pavlik really put the team on her back and led the way. Ostling did a great job creating a dominant inside game."
Out of the pool, junior Katy Armstrong was selected as the school's participant in the NCAA National Leadership Conference for student-athletes.
All of these great individual achievements came together to make 2009 the most successful season in program history.
"It was a total package, a total team effort," Moody said. "The biggest change from years before was the girls understanding what they need to do, understanding each others' roles, as well as themselves, and going out there and executing."
Having a season as successful as this one surely leads to high expectations for next season, especially since the team finished sixth in the WWPA with only 13 active players on the roster. Most teams have anywhere between 20-25 players. CSU is looking to have a larger squad next season.
"Our program is going to have 20-plus athletes, and considering our state doesn't have high school water polo, we're getting a lot of girls from the east coast and west coast looking at our program," Moody said. "Having 20-plus athletes will give us a more competitive practice environment that will ultimately translate to better production in games."
CSU is bringing in an impressive group of new players that look to improve the team as a whole.
"Our incoming freshmen and JC transfers are going to add a lot of depth and they're looking forward to being here," Moody said. "It's going to be fun and exciting next year."
Moody believes that with only one senior (Chambers) graduated and with the addition of these newcomers, the team has a lot to look forward to, once again, in and out of the pool.
"We really hope to help with community service and be studious in the classroom," Moody said. "A winning record is a possibility and getting ranked nationally is always in the back of our mind."
In its fifth year, the CSU women's water polo program is still young, but a lot of positive growth has been witnessed.
"(John Mattos) and I are trying to create a culture here," Moody said. "Not just about X's and O's but everything. I really believe the program as a whole is moving in the right direction."
