The San Diego State women’s water polo team began its 2013 campaign by competing in the Michigan Kick-Off tournament hosted by the University of Michigan.
The No. 7 Aztecs proved their top-10 ranking valid as they went 3-1 in the tournament with only one loss against the No. 3 University of California, Los Angeles Bruins. SDSU went on to defeat former conference foe San Jose State 10-9 to close out the first day of competition in Ann Arbor, Mich.
On the final day of the tournament, the Aztecs went a perfect 2-0, defeating No. 14 Indiana 11-5 as well as No. 11 Michigan with a score of 11-10 in double overtime.
Senior captain Amber Pezzolla was a valuable offensive weapon for the Aztecs, scoring 15 goals in the tournament. The three-time All-American led SDSU past Indiana by scoring six goals in the same game. Senior utility Emily Whalen torched the Michigan Wolverines when she recorded a hat trick in the final game of the tournament. Pezzolla continued to show her leadership in the pool, also scoring three goals in the victory against the Wolverines.
The 2013 season will be SDSU’s first year competing in the Big West Conference, where it hopes to earn an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. Pezzolla expressed her faith in the team this season.
“I feel this year with the team we have, we can without a doubt win the (Big West) conference. We are a newer team so people don’t know us as well as they did in prior seasons,” Pezzolla said. “We are ready to make it to the NCAA tournament.”
The Aztecs’ return sophomore driver Anique Hermann, who had a phenomenal breakout season last year, garnered an All-American honor in her first season competing for the red and black. With the graduation of four-time All-American goalie Kelly Campoli, SDSU looks to freshman Rachel Mitchell to anchor its defense this season. Mitchell had a strong debut last weekend.
The Aztecs return to Montezuma Mesa with their first chance to showcase their talents in front of a home crowd on Saturday. SDSU will face off against former Aztec players in its annual alumni game. First sprint is set for 11 a.m. at the Aztec Aquaplex.
