Jan. 23, 2008

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RAMS BEGIN FOURTH SEASON

In the spring of 2005, things were new for Colorado State water polo. The school's newest varsity program had new student-athletes working with the Rams' coaches for the first time. The team had a set of conference competitors new to CSU fans. And, being a new team, few expected the Rams to turn very many heads.

Times have changed.

For the first time in the young history of Colorado State water polo, the Rams actually have the potential to realize some of the lofty goals established when the school launched the program at the varsity level. No longer will the Rams simply be looking forward to next year. Next year is now.

"The athletes, the schedule and the administrative support are in place," said Head Coach John Mattos. "We realistically can vie to finish in among the top five teams in our conference."

Not only that, the Rams this year will fight for their first-ever appearance in the ever-elusive Top 20 NCAA rankings.

"It's a big step," Mattos said, "but it's one we've been working toward since the spring of 2004. It truly is an exciting opportunity. We want to bring all of our athletes together so they can experience something they'll never forget."

To get to where they want to be, the Rams will need leadership from their two senior captains, Emily McCullough and Annie Quinn, who in 2008 will become the first CSU water polo athletes to compete four full years in the program. The two have contributed at all levels of the fledgling program as it grew into a contender, and now sit poised to reap the rewards of that patience and commitment.

The Rams' have only one junior, but she has meant a lot to the development of CSU's ever-improving program. Emily Chambers surely will prove valuable in any success the Rams enjoy this year.

CSU's sophomore class is led by returning Western Water Polo Association Newcomer of the Year Krystyna McCright, the Rams' goalie. Also among the sophomores is standout set player Sarah Ostling and three strong and competitive drivers in Shannon Kohl, Katy Armstrong and Kailin Custy. The combined talent in that group, Mattos said, was instrumental in giving the Rams their highest-ever finish at the WWPA Championships.

If the Rams are to achieve their first winning record, their freshmen are likely to play an important role. And those freshmen represent perhaps CSU's top collection of sheer talent contained in one class ever. The class hails from as far west as Hawaii and as far east as Florida.

"Together, these young athletes will be unstoppable in their pursuit of the excellence within the WWPA," Mattos said. "They won't stop until they've succeeded in becoming a Top 20 Division I team. I can't wait to get the season off the ground."

RAMS RECEIVE VOTES

CSU, which during its first three seasons as a varsity program has yet to crack the Top 20 of the Collegiate Water Polo Association polls, is among those receiving votes in the preseason poll.

CSU HOSTS UCSD

The Rams face one of the nation's most difficult schedules, and the stalwarts come calling early -- as in Game 1. The Rams face a tough test in their conference and season opener Thursday, UC San Diego, ranked No. 14 in the latest CWPA poll. The first sprint is set for 7 p.m. at EPIC in Fort Collins and admission is free.

UCSD head coach Larry Sanders is in his ninth season at the reins of the Tritons.

"They're always in the Top 15," Mattos said. "They're very talented, very well coached, and will be a very tough team to beat."

CSU might as well get used to top-notch opponents. Its schedule is littered with them.

"Every team that we will face in the upcoming week has been ranked for the last three years," Mattos said. "We are the underdog in every match, but it's possible to win. Because in the Western Water Polo Association teams don't know who we are just yet.

"We want to play one of the toughest schedules, which is a good thing."

NATION'S BEST TEAMS ON DECK

After their season opener Thursday at EPIC, both the Rams and UCSD travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., where they'll take part in an exciting seven-team competition, the Michigan Kickoff. v One of the four teams on the Rams' tourney docket is UCLA, the No. 1 team in the preseason CWPA poll. Also scheduled to face the Rams are No. 7 San Jose State and No. 18 Michigan. CSU's other opponent, Indiana, received votes in the poll, which ranks the Top 20 programs. The Rams' weekend schedule (all games at Michigan's Canham Natatorium):

Saturday Michigan 8:30 a.m. MST

Saturday Indiana 3:15 p.m. MST

Sunday San Jose State 6 a.m. MST

Sunday UCLA 9:30 a.m. MST

The Rams will be spared No. 11 Arizona State, who joins UCSD to round out the field this weekend.

CSU will be looking to erase memories of its trip to the same tournament in 2007, when the Rams defeated Slippery Rock in their `07 season opener, 8-3, then lost their next three contests in Ann Arbor -- to Marist (7-6 in four overtimes), Indiana (9-4) and Michigan (15-8).

There isn't really a winner or a trophy -- just pure water polo featuring some of the best teams in the nation.

When the Rams play Michigan Saturday morning, fans can access live stats through the Wolverines' Web site: www.mgoblue.com.