Stanford Invitational 2013 -- 1st Place!

4 games. 2 days. 1 incredibly successful weekend. Gotta love this place (:

Looking Back on NCAAs // by Kelsey

This year's championship was such a different experience than last year's. Not only did I get to play back home in SoCal, but because my family and friends all live near San Diego, they came out to support in full force. Even some of my sorority sisters and friends from my dorm road-tripped down from Stanford to come cheer us on. Once I was in the water, though, it was all about sticking with my team. We were the center of so much speculation all year because of who on our team from last year was gone, but it was so great to look around me and know that each one of us had put in the time and the work for the past 9 or 10 months to become a championship team. From the first whistle, the only thing I felt was confidence--THAT was the best feeling all weekend. Not just hoping for a win, but knowing we would get one.

Looking Back on NCAAs // by Jillian

Everybody stepped up at different parts Of the year and none of our success was carried on one persons shoulders. When someone needed to step up, they did. As a team, everyone pitching in when they knew it was critical was an experience I won't forget. I felt on top of the world after we won. My favorite memory was being with my homie Pallavi the whole weekend. Love that girl.

Looking Back on NCAAs // by Victoria

Although winning this year has been just as stellar as the last, I think a significant part for me this year was the confidence that everyone had in themselves and each other. There were points in the game when I would look into the faces of my teammates and know that we had this.

Looking Back on NCAAs // by Ashley

Oh my goodness! Winning NCAA's is the greatest end to one of the most memorable years of my life. Before winning, I was so sad to become a sophomore because I didn't want to leave or forget freshman year. It has been such an exciting and ridiculously fun year, but going out with a bang such as winning a national championship is the ultimate icing (or cream cheese frosting) on the cake! I have been on many teams throughout my water polo career, yet I have never loved every single one of my teammates as much as I do. I know all of my other teammates feel this way, and I believe that is why we won. Let me tell you, winning is the best feeling. It makes ALL of your work worth it and it will keep me motivated for a long time.

Looking Back on NCAAs // by Alyssa

NCAAs this year were a true dream. Being able to come back to the pool where we lost the Championship game two years ago and to be able to play the same opponent was a cherry on top of this season for me. My favorite part of the weekend was seeing my teammates before the championship game and knowing that they would do anything in their power to ensure that we won. Just seeing the determination on their faces will be something that I will carry with me forever. I just want to say thank you to my amazing teammates for giving me the best Senior year anyone could ask for. Also thanks to all of the fans who have supported us throughout the season and to the families that have traveled to countless games to cheer us on. I love you all!!!

Looking Back on NCAAs // by Monica

This season has been incredible to say the least. In the Championship game, after Pallavi scored our 6th goal, I remember looking up at the game clock and seeing we had just over a minute left to play. That last minute of the game, playing nails defense with my team, was probably the most fun minute of water polo I've ever played. It was my last minute of collegiate water polo, last minute playing with this awesome team, last minute before winning a national championship.

Looking Back on NCAAs // by Catherine

My absolute favorite part of NCAAs was the moment right after Pallavi's goal in the finals. I screamed so hard no sound even came out and started crying all at the same time! It was the moment I knew we were going to win and I will never forget that amazing feeling and how proud I was of our team!!

We heart you, Grandma Cleasby! (bloopers and all)

Stanford Women’s Water Polo Fans -- thank you for tuning in for my blog post!! I will warn you now, this is my first blog post ever, in my life, so please cut me some slack as I'm still learning the ropes, so to speak.

I am Vee Dunlevie, sophomore, wearing cap #6. I am from the Stanford area (Atherton specifically) and went to Sacred Heart Prep high school, about ten minutes from Stanford. We are having a great season so far after winning the Stanford Invite, our game against UOP, and the Irvine Tournament and we are all looking forward to taking on the competition in San Diego and Long Beach this upcoming weekend...

Can't make all the games? Well, you're in for a treat... Our team is very lucky to have a number of parents who enjoy taking pictures (my mom included – shout out to Elizabeth!). She takes lots of pictures and enjoys going for the “artsy” angle... she's like the team's very own Annie Liebovitz. For example, look at the great picture of Melissa that she snapped in Michigan!

Another sweet photographer we have is Alyssa and Kaitlyn’s wonderful grandma Velma Cleasby aka Grandma Cleasby. Grandma Cleasby is a dedicated photographer and takes more photos than a veteran Reuters staff member. Her camera is always on the ready and she captures every moment possible – be it flattering or embarrassing. Water polo can certainly be a beautiful sport, but our team will always put the drive to dominate above the desire to look pretty...

So, I would like to take this chance to highlight some of the most entertaining pictures of our team playing the game we love, dominating every day, and always looking…um...athletic….while doing so. :)

The season (and blog) begins...

Welcome to the first entry of the Stanford Women’s Water Polo Official blog! I am so excited to have you join us this season. My name is Kim Hall and I am one of the seniors on the squad. I’m honored to be a part of the inaugural year of this media website. We hope it becomes a fun, interactive resource for you to follow us through our season toward the National Championship.

I figured that with this being the first blog entry, it would only be right to discuss our first big tournament of the season, the Stanford Invitational. This tournament, though not our first games of the year, always kicks off the Stanford water polo season in our very own Avery Aquatic Center. The Invite consistently brings the top competitors and some of the most challenging games of the season. And this past weekend certainly did not fail to deliver.

We started off the tournament against Arizona State. They have a very new squad this year, with strong international players who are sure to be very competitive as the season continues. But with strong defense anchoring us throughout the game (goalie Kate Baldoni had 10 saves) and an incredible offensive showing by sophomores Annika Dries (5 goals) and Vee Dunlevie (2 goals), we topped the Sun Devils 10-1.

Next was Cal, which is always a fun game. If nothing else, any contest against Stanford’s rival is a good one. Annika Dries had another great game, posting a hat trick, but not to be outdone by Alyssa Lo’s 4 goals. Team defense again prevailed in this game, especially in the second half where the Golden Bears only scored once. Fellow senior goalie Amber Oland had 12 saves in the 10-5 win.

Sunday morning began with San Jose State. The Spartans have always been a team to keep grinding, keep pushing no matter what the score board reads. And we expected the same from them that morning. They are incredibly strong offensively, and we were very happy to keep them to only 4 goals. On our side, we got goals out of 10 different players, which is very exciting to say the least.

And of course, Sunday afternoon always of any tournament sets the stage for the best games. And there’s nothing like having the final of the first tournament of a season be a rematch of the NCAA final from the year prior. The USC Trojans consistently play with high physicality and emotion, and we knew we were going to have to play strong and smart against them in order to be successful. Unfortunately going down 2-0 in the first quarter is not exactly the best way to go about doing that. We were able to take the lead by 2 goals a couple of times during the contest, but the ever feisty Trojans stayed with us. They tied it to go into OT, and then again to take it into sudden death. But despite a lack of 6-on-5 and penalty goals, we were able to come out on top, thanks to freshman Kaley Dodson’s beautiful near shot with 16 seconds left in the 4th OT quarter, the 2nd sudden death period, giving us the 10-9 victory. My friends commented on how composed, calm, and in control of the situation the team was despite the high stakes. Clearly they were only paying attention to the girls in the water… I don’t remember being seated for either of the sudden death periods. And I think I practically had a heart attack, a few times, throughout the contest.

But all in all, a very successful weekend. We had huge contributions from everyone, no matter their role, which is definitely very promising at the start of the season. Favorite memory: probably a tossup between Kate literally jumping into my arms at the winning goal, or the HUGE smile on Kaley’s face for hours after the game.

Keep following us! We sincerely appreciate all of the support (especially when it constitutes missing the Super Bowl). The next blog entry to come soon. Our next game is in Stockton on the 20th of this month.

We hope to see you there.

Signing off,

Kim Hall