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Colorado State University Athletics
Water polo season outlook: Best yet, but not good enough
11/29/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
Nov. 29, 2010
By Brian O’Neill
Athletic Media Relations
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - With the Rams coming off their best finish since the program began in 2005, there are many things to be excited about surrounding this team. But the Colorado State water polo team tries not to focus on the past, but rather look ahead to the immediate future.
In 2010 the Rams posted its best conference finish ever, placing fourth in the Western Water Polo Association. The Rams also recorded their first win over a ranked opponent when the team defeated the California San Diego, which was ranked 17th in the nation going into the matchup. With victories like these the team is beginning to gain a lot of attention from others within the WWPA.
“I know we’re getting recognition from other coaches, players and officials.” said coach Mike Moody. “We are moving in the right direction, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
While the team did lose a few leaders in its senior class of 2010, the Rams also have most of their top performers returning while also bringing in an outstanding freshman class, including a high school All-American.
Some key returners include Kallie Berry, who earned second-team all-WWPA honors, leading goal scorer Ali Pavlik, and Melissa Fisher, the sophomore goalie who played in 26 games as a true freshman. Moody is excited to see the returners come back together look for more success.
“I’m looking forward to those returning athletes going out there and seeing what they accomplish because they are hungry for more wins after last year,” said Moody. “They’re really going to come together as a team.”
While there are great athletes in each class, Moody doesn’t want to look at that, but, instead make sure the entire team unites, similar to what led to the success of the 2010 season.
“At the end of the year the girls really came together and executed our game plan,” he said “They played as a team each and every week.”
Moody and the team like to approach every game individually and never look past the current week.
The coach said he really just wants to see his athletes improve, “I want these ladies to get better every day while they are at CSU,” he said.
He does not like to get caught up in the big picture. However, he would like to see his athletes reach the WWPA championship game this year.
“It is always in the back of my head even though I like to stay focused on each week,” he said “I think we have what it takes, but it will be a lot of work.”
Aside from improving athletically and trying to come up with an even better finish this year, the Rams are also looking to improve outside of the water, both in the classroom and in the community.
“I believe our team GPA is currently around a 2.8 but we would like that to be at least a 3.0,” stated Moody.
The team has many community and volunteering events already lined up. The Rams will be working with the Open Door Mission, the 20/30 Club and Cans Around the Oval.
Moody really believes in his team this year. The Rams continue to get better and he knows that as long as every player really buys into his system, this team has a great shot at the championship.
The Rams start the 2011 season on Jan. 20 when they host Loyola Marymount at the EPIC Center in Fort Collins. CSU will also host Michigan on Feb. 26-27 and Utah on March 26.
Other big dates to remember for the 2011 season are March 18-19, when the Rams travel to Los Angeles, Calif., for the Loyola Marymount tournament. Then, they travel to Santa Clara, Calif., for the Santa Clara tournament from April 9-10. The next weekend the team will head back to California, this time to Bakersfield for the Cal State Bakersfield tournament. And finally the WWPA tournament is scheduled for April 29 through May 1.
