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As the last days of summer begin to drift away, the women’s water polo team continues its three times per week, two times per day practices. After the record of 7-21 last season, eight athletes are returning to the pool this semester equipped with their leadership and experience.

Although, Coach Terry Stoddard says he does not want to get too excited “I am optimistic that they know the system, they now have a nice foundation they can rely on” he said in an interview. With a number of strong returners in the pool this season, the water polo team is looking to become a more simple and dynamic group. It is focusing back on the fundamentals of the sport says Coach Stoddard.

“Playing a simple formation and simple defense, perfecting the basics of the sport will be their approach for a winning season. Yet this will not be an easy task.” One of their biggest obstacles this season, according to returning utility and goalie Naoni Padilla, is an understanding of one another inside the pool.

Padilla said“Communicating and passing” was what the team needed to work on. But with the amount of time they spend inside and outside the pool, Padilla believes that the teams chemistry has gotten stronger and team members are starting to understand each other.

According to Stoddard the biggest obstacle they will face will be early in its season. The team is set to face the strongest teams in their conference at the beginning of their season said Coach Stoddard. He said that the women have “adapted and committed very well” prepared for any team they go up against.

As the season gets closer, the goals set for this season are within the tangible range of the team said Stoddard. The greater number of women eligible this season thanks to the Pathway program has given the team depth, Stoddard said. As the Olympics wrapped up, some of the new philosophy implemented by Stoddard has derived from the U.S. women’s Olympic water polo team. He believes that there is one team and only one goal.

“I’m not predicting we will win conference, I’m predicting we will meet our goal in playing as one” said Stoddard.  He believes that if they play unified as one team, they will be a strong team and a dangerous opponent in conference, a team that will make the Lancers proud.

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