Bucknell University Athletics
Bison Women's Water Polo Opens 2004 Campaign This Weekend
2/13/2004 7:00:00 AM | Women's Water Polo
Feb. 13, 2004
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Last season was one of excitement for the Bucknell women's water polo team. The squad had the opportunity to be the first water polo team at Bucknell to compete in the brand new, state-of-the-art Arthur D. Kinney Jr. Natatorium. One of those competitions was the Southern Division Championship, allowing the Orange and Blue home pool advantage on their way to a fifth place finish and a spot in the Eastern Championship for the second-straight year. The Bison had a talented group of seniors, all captains, and a core group of underclassmen who were impact players the moment they entered the pool.
If it's possible, the 2004 season brings even more anticipation and excitement than a year ago. Although Kinney Natatorium has been christened, the eagerness to compete in a facility of its class is not quick to wear off. This year, the Bison will host an invitational early in the season, and cap the year by hosting the Eastern Championship for the first time in program history.
Between those two events, the Orange and Blue will face stiff competition in league rivals George Washington, Princeton, Villanova and newcomer Maryland. In addition, Bucknell will make its annual trip to the West Coast, competing in two tournaments as well as picking up some head-to-head games against solid competition.
Despite the challenging schedule, head coach John Zeigler is confident his troops are up to the challenge. Bucknell lost three talented seniors in Lindsay Chesterfield, Jamie Fulop and Katie Stahler, but the Bison have a host of young players ready to fill in the void left by their graduation.
One of the most encouraging statistics to look at from a year ago is that BU returns 10 of its top 11 scorers. Even more encouraging is that the squad's top-two leading scorers from last year are only juniors this season. Cody Keffer and co-captain Meg Blitzer led the team in the scoring column last year and will be counted on to provide the offensive punch again this season.
Keffer ended 2003 with a team-best 43 goals and 27 assists, giving her 70 points for the year. She enters the 2004 campaign needing just two goals to eclipse 100 in her career. Blitzer finished the year with a career-best 36 goals and 15 assists for 51 points.
Joining Keffer and Blitzer as offensive threats will be senior co-captain Kelly Hofstetter and sophomore Kaitlin Bardoe. Hofstetter has been a solid producer for the Bison throughout her first three years, and that is not expected to change this season. Bardoe, tabbed the team's Rookie of the Year at the conclusion of 2003, will be counted on to continue her freshman success with a solid campaign in 2004.
Another staple in the Bison unit has been junior Katie Hartigan. Although Hartigan is relied upon heavily for her defensive skills, she will also be expected to offer contributions on the offensive side of the ball. The utility player has proven herself capable, accumulating 32 career goals and 21 career assists in two seasons.
Three players who saw significant time last season, and will be counted on to increase their production this year, are junior Larissa Brown, and sophomores Jennifer and Laura Meitzner. Brown played in every game for Bucknell last year, quadrupling her goal total from her rookie year. She was also a defensive threat, grabbing 24 steals.
Jennifer and Laura, twin sisters, both had satisfying rookie seasons. Jennifer played in 30 games, starting 10 of them. She ended the year with 12 goals and nine assists. Laura was also active in 30 games, getting the start in 11 of those. She established herself as a setup player, assisting on 13 goals and scoring three of her own. Laura also finished second on the team with 18 ejections drawn.
Senior Daniela Faas, juniors Ashley Aiken and Eileen Ketterer, and sophomore Christina Behrens are going to be looked to to step up their game in 2004. All four were significant contributors a year ago, but Zeigler is counting on the group to break out this season.
Faas came off of an injury plagued 2002 season to play in 14 games last year, contributing two goals and two assists. Aiken was active in 28 games for BU a year ago, scoring six times and assisting on six other goals.
Ketterer will be essential in the all-around game for Bucknell. The sprinter for the squad, Ketterer won 48 of the 62 sprints she swam last year. She was also a force on defense, finishing fourth on the team with 36 takeaways, in addition to her 16 goals and 12 assists. Behrens had a solid rookie campaign, registered eight goals and six assists in 27 games.
Senior Katie Webber, junior Ellen Caccia, and sophomores Meg Fulop, Amanda Nogic and Amy Wollish, are all returning with experience and will be expected to contribute to the Bison success.
A large and talented freshman class also enters the mix with several players vying for one of the seven starting roles.
One of the biggest battles will be between Mandy Bynum and Katie Colgan in the cage. With the graduation of Chesterfield, the goalkeeping position is up for grabs. Along with Fulop, Bynum and Colgan will all try to establish themselves as Bucknell's netminder.
Other members of the freshman class expected to contribute instantly are Sadie Abuhoff, Adrienne Fischer, Elizabeth Jensen, Susan Kingerski, Caitlin O'Meara, Meg Purdy, Mallory Sullivan, Jessica Trimis and Taylor Voeltz.
The 2004 version of the Bucknell women's water polo team has set a team goal of posting a winning record, recording a top finish at the Southern Division Championship, and improving on their best-ever finish at Eastern's with a top-four placing.
With the nucleus of their offense returning, and a cast of 11 freshmen eager to make their mark, those goals are attainable and are cause for great enthusiasm for the upcoming season.
