The ASU water polo team will use the next three weeks to improve its first quarter play and to smooth out wrinkles in both the offense and defense.
Recently, the Sun Devils have been starting games slow and falling into deficits that are hard to climb out of. ASU coach Todd Clapper couldn’t explain why his team does not start games with the same intensity that it finishes games with, but he hopes to use this week’s bye to correct the problem.
“In the next two weeks we will try to solve this puzzle about how we are starting games,” Clapper said while adding that the team will also fine-tune some of the things they have been doing well.
No. 9 ASU will also be using the last three weeks of the season to prepare for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships, which follow the regular season. The Sun Devils have already faced all of their MPSF foes in the regular season, so Clapper wants to mix up the game plans and surprise the competition.
“We will be adding a few new things that we will take into Hawaii and the conference championships so that there will be a surprise factor for the other teams,” Clapper said.
Nation’s toughest conference
With one regular season game left in the season, the Sun Devils are still looking for their first conference win of the season. ASU, who has not won a MPSF game since April, 19, 2008, will try to close out the regular season with a win against Hawaii on April 16.
The Sun Devils’ conference struggles are partly related to the fact that the Sun Devils compete in the rigorous MPSF, a conference that features many of the top schools in the country. ASU has not lost to a team outside the MPSF in four years.
“The conference is really tough,” Clapper said. “Every opponent is real strong.”
Despite the conference losing streak, Clapper is confident that his team can get some conference victories simply by relaxing.
“It’s just a matter of playing a little more freer and a little more confident,” Clapper said. “Winning will take care of itself.”
Freshman impact
It is rare to find a freshman that comes to college ready to start and make an immediate impact on their team, but freshman goalie Ianeta Hutchinson has had a big impact on the team and has spent the majority of the year as the starting goalie.
“She continues to improve and she’s gotten a lot of experience under her belt,” Clapper said.
While Hutchinson’s transition to the collegiate game has been impressive, she has not been alone. There are three other freshmen on the team and Clapper feels all three have developed throughout the year.
Clapper was especially pleased with freshman Tristin Baxter, who is picking things up quickly after joining the team late because she is also a member of the ASU swim team.
ASU sophomore Amanda Young may not be a freshman, but this is her first season not playing goalie. Young, who averaged slightly more than five saves per game last year, is also doing a good job of transitioning into her new position, Clapper said.
Reach the reporter at william.boor@asu.edu
