With heavy expectations weighing down on the team to have a repeat of last season, the Lady Hornets seek to do even better. With a relatively young squad of 17 players, goalie Coach Pete Snyder says, that about half the team is brand new to the college.
The Fullerton College Women’s Water Polo team had an impressive season last fall with a record of 29-6, they took second in both the Orange Empire Conference and State. Head Coach Gabriel Martinez says that last season was the best the school has ever had.
“Because we are a two-year school we will have a turnover like that,” said Martinez. “This year our whole starting line for us and people coming off the bench have moved on. It’s pretty much a new team.”
With a new team can the Lady Hornets rise to the challenge?
With only a few weeks of practice and the season barely underway, Snyder says that it’s too early to tell how the team will be, but a good indication will be when they face some of their more challenging opponents in the upcoming Saddleback Tournament on Sep. 13.
“At times we have really good workouts and look really good and at times we look bad,” said Martinez. “But they’re working hard and coming along.”
Coach Martinez adds that having a brand new team is not bad at all.
“The good thing about having a brand new team is their upside is really high, and they can get better really fast,” said Martinez. “A lot better than other teams; which I haven’t seen upside like we have.”
The coaching staff plans to take different elements of last season’s training and change and implement it to better equip their new team.
The Lady Hornets have great goalies, good centers and are very coachable according to Martinez, but the only thing they lack is the experience in working together.
The coaches plan to stress teamwork to play hard and to give the best effort in offense and defense.
“The biggest thing is to compete,” said Martinez. “Go out and compete.”
Overall Coach Martinez is very confident in his team, and believes they will have a great season and will make it to the playoffs. “If we train hard, do what we are supposed to do, we will be fine.”
