UCLA ready to defend No. 1 rank vs. Stanford

Friday, March 13, 1998

UCLA ready to defend No. 1 rank vs. Stanford

WATER POLO: A victory over the Cardinal would lessen pain of
loss to Cal

By Steve Kim

Daily Bruin Staff

Get this. In chronological order, Cal women’s water polo team
beat Stanford, UCLA beat Cal, Cal beat UCLA then Stanford beat Cal.
So who’s on top?

According to the latest poll, the Bruins are No. 1. They,
however, want to make sure they stay No. 1 after they play the
Cardinal on Saturday at the Sunset Recreation Center pool.

With a new head coach, Stanford women’s water polo team (10-2)
was thought to be going through a major adjusting period.

After having lost to Cal in the beginning of the season,
Stanford has apparently adapted fast enough to redeem itself over
the past weekend and raise its rank to No. 2.

The Bruins have yet to play the Cardinal this year. They have
never lost to Stanford, and they’re not about to either. Saturday’s
game finally provides the opportunity to see just how good the
Cardinal is.

"Stanford has some very talented players," said UCLA head coach
Guy Baker. "I thought they were going to improve as the season
progressed, and they are."

While UCLA features a deep and talented squad that includes
goalie Nicole Payne and playmaker Coralie Simmons, Stanford offers
a challenge.

The Cardinal’s main players include Ellen Estes and goalie
Heather Crary.

Estes helped the Cardinal score seven points, while Crary let
Cal have only two goals last weekend vs. Cal.

UCLA defender Mandy McAloon anticipates a challenging game.

"As a defender, it’s going to be pretty difficult because they
have a really good two-meter man and outside shooters," McAloon
said, "They’re a lot like us in that aspect so it’s going to be
pretty interesting."

"Stanford has always been one of the better teams," said team
captain Payne, "but we have a good chance of beating them. We’re
especially excited because we play them at home. A lot of our
family and friends are going to watch us play and hopefully, we’ll
win."

If history repeats itself, then the Bruins should continue their
blemish-free record against the Cardinal.

Their first pairing of the season will finally put and end to
the lingering question: Who’s No. 1?

Following Saturday’s match against Stanford, the Bruins will
play a home game on Sunday against San Jose State at the Men’s Gym
pool.

San Jose State was beaten shamefully by the Bruins, and it
hasn’t improved enough to pose a threat. The challenge will be to
play at a consistent level throughout the game after playing
Stanford.

"It’s going to be a big game with Stanford and the day after.
The main thing we’re going to do against San Jose State is …
(not) let down," Baker said.