Then-freshman Izabella Chiappini is pictured in an ASU water polo game in 2014. (Photo courtesy of ASU)After falling to USC 17-9 this past weekend, the ASU water polo team looks to learn from its mistakes as it competes at home for the first time this season, hosting the ASU Invitational.
“We were better than last time,” head coach Todd Clapper said. “We had more moments where we were in control and played good defense. It started out as a pretty close game. There are still times where we were impatient on offense, there are turnovers that are happening to early in our shot clock."
Clapper said turnovers are having an impact on the defensive end.
"That's leading to bad defense at the other end just because it is unexpected," he said. "That is something we are addressing. We were better against Long Beach, but it's something we have to continue to improve at.”
ASU would finish the weekend out strong, with a 10-5 win over Long Beach State.
“I think the biggest thing was just setting a standard on how we are going to play moving forward,” Clapper said. “I think we played a lot better as a team. We were a lot more patient on offense, which led to better defensive play.”
Clapper credits the defensive strategy that the Sun Devils stuck to, and their awareness of key players. He also praised the team’s willingness to accept changes on the fly without having much preparation.
“We stuck to the plan of really having to stay on their top shooter, and everyone was really aware of where she was the whole time," he said. "We had to make some modifications without a whole lot of practice time to get ready, and they made those modifications basically from talking about it. From the standpoint of team organization, everybody is sticking to the same plan, and we are getting better.”
After being on the road all season, the Sun Devils will finally get to play at home in front of their fans. Although playing in front of a home crowd is always a boost, Clapper said there are many other things that ASU can take advantage of because it's at home.
“It’s great,” Clapper said. “It’s just nice not having to get on an airplane on Friday and then go in for a short little shootaround just to kind of loosen up. We get a full practice on Friday. ... Everybody is really excited to play in front of their friends and family.”
While the team is exited for the opportunity to finally play at home, it is also focused on its first game of the tournament.
“Right now, this week is preparing for San Jose State, what we want to do offensively and defensively against them and watching video and talking about what they do and that’s really the biggest thing," Clapper said. "Hopefully, the game plan that we have put together is the right one, and hopefully, they can execute it at a high level and we will be successful. That’s the main focus.”
The Sun Devils will play San Jose State on Saturday at 1 p.m., and will again face Long Beach State at 1:40 p.m. on Sunday. ASU also faces Indiana at 9:20 a.m. on Sunday.
Reach the reporter at mtsteine@asu.edu or follow @MarcTSteiner on Twitter.
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