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Speed is Key for Gannon Women's Water Polo in 2010
ERIE, Pa. --
Head coach Don Sherman wants the Gannon University
women's water polo team to be known for its speed. The ninth-year
head man for the Lady Knights uses fast, quick, or speed to
describe most every player on his team. Coming off an 11-8 season
in 2009, the 2010 edition will need a quick start in order to avoid
a fast end to its year.
Senior Annie Greenhill (Brea, Calif./Brea Olinda)
returns as the team's leading scorer. She scored 47 goals and
assisted on 17 others, both team highs. "Annie is the captain of
the team. She brings leadership and is a strong motivator," said
Sherman. "She's talking from start to finish. She has a very strong
powerful outside shot and she knows the game inside and
out."
Molly Andrews (Tustin, Calif./Tustin) was second
on the team with 29 goals and Colleen Harriger (Erie,
Pa./McDowell) added 28 goals and 13 assists. "Molly is a
great scorer and Colleen is a great outside scorer with great
defensive instinct," said Sherman.
Kendra Plackemeier (Bonsall, Calif./Fallbrook)
scored 21 goals last season and will share team captaincy with
Greenhill. "Kendra is strong inside and knows the game," said
Sherman.
Lauren Myrick (Erie, Pa./McDowell) led the Knights with
15 sprint-offs in 2009 and will be in the mix for that position
again. "Lauren knows the game, she's very fast, and she's our
premiere counterattack anticipator," said Sherman.
Rachel Rzymek (Erie, Pa./McDowell) and
Jackie Rzymek (Erie, Pa./McDowell) will compete
for the sprint-off spot as well. The sisters are members of the 400
yard freestyle relay team that has qualified for nationals on the
swim team. "Rachel's game is speed, speed, speed. She anticipates
well on the counterattack," said Sherman. "Jackie likes to score.
She is also strong defensively."
Sherman has yet to determine a starting lineup and seems excited
at the possibility of such depth. The four freshmen on the roster
are all expected to see time in the pool. Jackie
Rzymek, Sarah Anderson (Erie, Pa./McDowell), Kelly
Steininger (Vernon Hills, Ill./Vernon Hills) and
Janelle Bartman (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Stevenson)
each bring something different to the team. "Sarah is very scrappy
and plays hard defensively," said Sherman. "Kelly is 6'1" and
smoking fast. She can shut down anybody we put her on."
Bartman and sophomore Libbie Guina (Houston, Texas/Clear
Brook) will compete for playing time in goal. Guina went
9-8 in net last season as the team's primary keeper. Bartman
arrives as a highly touted high school player in Illinois. "Janelle
is strong leading the counterattack and Libbie has fast reaction
time," said Sherman. The two will split time until one moves ahead
of the other. "Whoever is number one is number one and she will
play," said Sherman.
Mallery Casale (Erie, Pa./Villa Maria Academy),
Liz Clary (Canton, Ohio/Glen Oak) and
Stephanie Komorek (Erie, Pa./McDowell) combined to
score 25 goals last season and return in the mix for pool time.
"Mallery is strong defensively. Liz is very fast and Stephanie is
crafty offensively with her left hand," said Sherman.
Caitlin Andrews (Tustin, Calif./Tustin) is
another returner, coming off an 11-goal campaign. "She is strong
inside for us," said Sherman. Sophomores Laurel Martinez
(Pittsburgh, Pa./Keystone Oaks) and Kaitlyn Bosy
(Courtice, Ontario/Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary) should
also compete for time in 2010. "Laurel has improved tremendously
from last year to this year," said Sherman.
Bosy, along with the Rzymeks, Anderson, Harriger, Myrick, and
Clary will miss the beginning of the season because they are
members of the swimming team. The water polo season starts three
weeks earlier than last year, putting the Knights in a potential
hole. GU travels to touranments at Bucknell University, Princeton
University and Chapman College (Calif.) in February.
"Our challenge will be being two different teams," said Sherman. "We'll slow the game down early in the year and then have to get the swimmers acclimated and go to playing fast, pressure defense. We will have more speed than any team we play this year."
Release courtesy Gannon Athletic Communications
