Nearing a year after yet another Olympics and yet another unprecedented medal, the USA Women’s Senior National Team entered 2009 in the midst of their first great change in more than a decade. For the first time since 1998, Guy Baker is not at the helm of the ship that earned the status of the most successful women’s program in the new millennium. Turning in his whistle to lead USA Water Polo’s Olympic Development Program, Baker was replaced by Adam Krikorian in March 2009.
Gone as well are assistant coaches and stalwarts of the Baker regime, a trio of former Olympians in Kyle Kopp, Heather Moody, and Bernice Orwig, replaced by 2004 and 2008 Olympian Brandon Brooks, 2000 Olympian Coralie Simmons, and longtime referee and Corona del Mar High School Coach Aaron Chaney. Former UCLA standout Serela Kay joins the group as Team Leader.
But among the players, 2009 marks the third year together for what’s become a core group of talent to don the red, white, and blue. Following a disappointing 4th-place finish at the 2006 FINA World Cup, the team came back in 2007 and set the course for what proved to be the best year in the history of USA Women’s Water Polo. The team won an unprecedented three titles and went undefeated throughout the entire year. Title #1 came at the FINA World Championships in Melbourne, Australia, in March.
The second title came at the FINA World League Super Final in Montreal, Canada, in early July, followed quickly by the third title at the Pan American Games later that month in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, qualifying the squad for the 2008 Olympic Games. The team record following the end of the 2006 FINA World Cup and through the 2007 Pan American Games was an astounding 35-0-1. (The last loss was to Russia in the bronze medal game at the 2006 FINA World Cup, with the tie coming against Australia in a Pre-World Championship tournament in Sydney.) An undefeated year is almost unheard of in international water polo—only five of the last 10 major championship teams in the Olympic Games, FINA World Championships, and FINA World Cups have gone undefeated during a major tournament. The FINA World Championship title was the second for Team USA (2003, 2007) tying them with Italy (1998, 2001) and Hungary (1994, 2005) for the most FINA World Championship titles.
The FINA final was USA’s third consecutive final, and the Gold Medal placed USA at the top of the list for most medals won in the history of the Women’s FINA World Championships (five). Next are Italy and the Netherlands with four, followed by Australia, Canada, and Hungary with three, and Russia with two. The FINA World League title was the USA’s third in four years (2004, 2006, 2007), and the event proved excellent preparation for the 2007 Pan American Games.
In addition to a Silver Medal in Beijing, the U.S. women once again advanced to the medal round of the FINA World League Super Final, capturing Silver in 2008. They added to that by claiming Gold at the recent FINA World League Super Final in Kirishi, Russia.
GOALKEEPERS
Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, MI/Michigan) anchors the goal position for Team USA. After a stellar 2007, Armstrong delivered more of the same in 2008 and is coming off a professional season in Italy. The team’s only player born outside of California and who played collegiate water polo outside of California has fit in perfectly between the posts. Jamie Komer (Fresno, CA/UCLA) has served admirably as the backup for the last two years and—coming off recent hip surgery—appears stronger than ever.
DEFENDERS
In front of the goalies is a group of defenders that pride themselves on locking down opponents. The defense bids farewell to staunch defender in Natalie Benson, but her experience has rubbed off on the remaining athletes. Alison Gregorka (Ann Arbor, MI/Stanford) has asserted herself as one of the better defenders worldwide with an aggressive style that causes misery for offenses. Gregorka joined the Senior National Team in 2006 and has gained invaluable international experience throughout the last three years. (Gregorka also is one of three Team USA players born outside of California. Armstrong and Elsie Windes are the other two who played their age group and high school water polo outside California.)
Elsie Windes (Portland, OR/California) brings tenacity and physical play that’s evident in all the members of this group. Windes’ first major international tournament was the 2006 World Cup, and she was the starting defender for Team USA in 2007. Windes, along with Gregorka, Kami Craig, Brittany Hayes, and Erika Figge, was a member of the 2005 Junior World Championship Gold Medal team.
CENTERS
The USA Centers bring a formidable one-two punch that few countries can match. Now able to add “Olympics” to their resumes, two prominent players look to continue to elevate their games. Starting center Moriah van Norman (San Diego, CA/USC) brings four years-plus of national team experience and has steadily improved to become a dominant force in front of the cage for the United States.
Van Norman will continue to tag team with fellow center Kami Craig (Santa Barbara, CA/USC), coming off her junior season at USC in which the Women of Troy were in the hunt for the number-one spot all season long. Craig remains one of the most youthful members of the team, having turned just 22 prior to the World Championships.
ATTACKERS
An arsenal of well rounded and well experienced players continue to lead the attackers for Team USA. Captain Brenda Villa (Commerce, CA/Stanford) gets things started, bringing tremendous leadership and scoring ability. Villa is one of two three-time Olympians on the USA roster. Joining her is fellow three-time Olympian, Heather Petri (Orinda, CA/California), the group’s elder stateswoman at 31 years old this year. She’s indeed played some of the best water polo of her career over the last couple of years.
Brittany Hayes (Santa Ana, CA/USC), a 2008 Olympian, brings a lefty to the group and was a key scorer a year ago in Beijing. College teammate Erika Figge (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA/USC), the alternate in 2008, is back in action and will add depth in the scoring department. 2004 Olympian Kelly Rulon (Point Loma, CA/UCLA) returns to the National Team after time away to complete school and compete professionally. She’ll add an immediate scoring punch to Team USA and bring good deal of experience from the international arena.
Fellow Bruin Tanya Gandy (San Diego, CA/UCLA), who trained with the Senior National Team in 2008, is onboard fulltime in 2009.
UTILITIES
Olympian Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, CA/USC) emerged in 2007 as one of the best players in the world. Tabbed the MVP at the 2007 World Championships, she tallied the game-winning goal in the Gold Medal victory over Australia. She was hampered by a variety of injuries in 2008, but after a professional season in Greece, she’s back at full strength. At 6’3” Wenger brings height to the position and is versatile enough to serve as a defender and center.
Jessica Steffens (Danville, CA/Stanford) brings a six-foot frame to the position and is coming off her junior season at Stanford University that saw the Cardinals among the top teams, ending with a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Steffens was a member of the 2006 and 2007 World League Super Final team and gained more international experience at the 2007 Pan American Games.
Coming off a great run in Russia, Team USA hopes to keep up their momentum in Rome and repeat as World Champions.