East Bay\’s Water Polo – Got Game?

After months and months of practices, conditioning, and weight training, Kelly kicked off her collegiate water polo career on Friday when CSUEB hosted UC Santa Cruz as part of East Bay’s homecoming week activities. As mentioned previously, Kelly joined the nationally (#4) ranked CSUEB women’s division III water polo team in September after only two years of  high school ball. These girls finished 2nd in the NCAA Division III nationals last year.

The atmosphere at the Pioneer Pool was electric. College ball is not something Barb and I are used to. The team introductions, the National Anthem, two refs, the crowds, and a host of others who run the games. The biggest change however is the level of play. These girls are the REAL DEAL. Kelly warned us that she may not get much playing time (or any playing time) as the team is that good. And they are. Kelly did get into the game and made her minutes count. Recording a steal right away and playing solid ball the rest of the time. Kelly is a smart player who seldom makes mistakes. These two things alone will get her more and more playing time. I guarantee it!

CSUEB went on to beat arch rival banana slugs 8-5.

This was Kelly’s first ever win in water polo!!  In her two previous years of high school polo, she had never been on a winning team. Congratulation Kelly on the first of many many wins.

To tune up for the season, the girls traveled to UC Davis yesterday for a pair of practice games. The morning match on Sunday pitted the Division I Aggies against our girls. Davis routed CSUEB 18-1. In the afternoon game, Division II powerhouse Sonoma State scored 3 early and went on to win 8-3. Kelly got into both games, played good and even had a shot on goal. These games don’t count in the rankings or standings and gave the girls a taste of what to expect when they travel the Maryland and the Terrapin Invitational  in the middle of February. Please check out the season outlook, the roster, and the schedule over at the CSUEB website