Men’s water polo returns to basics, steers back on course with wins
After a 12-10 victory over No. 3 Pacific Sunday, UCLA has increased confidence in running their system.
By Sari Zureiqat
Oct. 29, 2013 12:49 a.m.
The team, which checked off three combined wins on Friday and Sunday, will now return to its regular routine – a routine coach Adam Wright said doesn’t change.
As far as specifics go, the team will direct its attention to the game tapes to see what can be improved upon, especially in Sunday’s game against the University of the Pacific. The Bruins trailed for three quarters against the Tigers before springing back to win the game in its final minutes.
“They’re the real deal,” Wright said. “And for us to just battle back, for me that’s incredible.”
No. 3 Pacific, Wright said, is one of the top teams in the country, featuring one of the best shooters in the country. However, sophomore utilityDanny McClintick noted a different side of the struggle, beyond that of the opponents’ skill.
In an earlier loss against Stanford, UCLA had also trailed behind early in the game. And although remedied in the fourth quarter, the issue reemerged this weekend against Pacific.
The game changer, according to McClintick, was that the team recalled its basic technique and practice strategies before it was too late.
“Some things weren’t working. We weren’t hitting shots that we should,” McClintick said. “But we talked a lot this week about having faith in the system and trusting the system and sticking to the basics and not getting away from those no matter what. And (Sunday) proved to us that as long as we stick to the things that we need to stick to, we can get through anything.”
In returning to the “system,” Wright said the team will focus on its transition game, an advantage he saw over Pacific in the second half of Sunday’s game.
Meanwhile, the team has had to deal with sporadic injuries and illnesses, a common part of the midseason.
“Every year we get hit at some point, every team does,” Wright said. “We have guys out with sickness, we haven’t had a training where everybody’s been in for the last three weeks.”
But for junior attacker Daniel Lenhart, the injuries have been a bit more serious.
About two weeks ago, Lenhart said he was kicked in the game against USC, rupturing his spleen. The junior attacker said he will need approximately four more weeks of recovery before being able to play again.
And while Lenhart’s primary goal is to get healthy, he hasn’t forgotten to support his team. Lenhart attended the game against Pacific, high-fiving his teammates as they celebrated their victory.
“I’m trying to be around the guys and support wherever I can,” Lenhart said.
Regardless of the challenges that come with players being injured, Wright is confident men’s water polo can still be successful for the rest of the season.
“The deal is, one person isn’t bigger than the team,” Wright said. “And it takes the team to rally and to get it done.”
