Match Notes

The University of Hawai'i women's water polo team begins the 2009 season at the NorCal Cup Tournament, Jan. 31-Feb. 1, in Santa Clara, Calif. UH will face Sonoma State and UC Davis on the opening day.

 

The Rainbow Wahine, who enter the season ranked No. 4 in both the national and conference preseason polls, continue their season-opening road trip with Mountain Pacific Sports Federation matches at San Jose State, Feb. 4, and Stanford, Feb. 6.

 

UH concludes its road trip by competing in the Stanford Tournament, Feb. 7-8.

 

The Rainbow Wahine return four top players from last year's squad and welcome in four newcomers, three of which are true freshman.  
                                                            

Jan. 31    vs. Sonoma State                    10:30 a.m.

                  vs. UC Davis                             3:30 p.m.

Feb. 1      vs. Cal State Monterey             8:00 a.m.

                 at Santa Clara                           1:00 p.m.

Feb.4       at San Jose State*                    4:00 p.m.

Feb. 6      at Stanford*                                 4:00 p.m.

Feb. 7      vs. USC                                      11:30 a.m.

                  vs. UCLA                                    5:45 p.m.

Feb. 8      vs. San Jose State                    9:10 a.m.

                  vs. TBD                                       TBD

Two former Rainbow Wahine Meike De Nooy and Iefke Van Belkum were represented at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games this past summer. De Nooy and Van Belkum helped lead their Netherlands team to winning the gold medal over world No. 1 U.S., 9-8. Van Belkum played the entire game and scored one goal, while De Nooy served as a reserve goal keeper. This season, De Nooy will be helping the Rainbow Wahine as a volunteer assistant coach. 

The Rainbow Wahine were picked to finish fourth this season both nationally and in conference. They recieved 84 votes in the Collegiate Water Polo Association poll and 31 votes in the MPSF coaches poll. USC was picked as the preseason favorite in both polls, followed by Stanford and defending national champion UCLA, while California and San Diego State were ranked as fifth and sixth following UH. 

This season Hawai'i returns a number of key players. Among these returnees include second-leading scorer Kelly Mason, Leonie Van Der Molen, Lisa van Raalte and goalie Serena Bredin. Last season, Mason was nationally ranked No.9 with a 1.93 goals per match average and is a two-time all MPSF first-team pick. Van Der Molen tallied 49 goals in 29 matches and is second on the team with 40 knock outs defensively. Van Raalte scored 46 goals in 30 matches and is first on the team with 59 defensive knock-outs. Bredin was ranked No. 11 nationally in saves perve patch with an average of 7.30 and a total of 146 saves in 20 matches. 

The Rainbow Wahine will play up to 19 of 23 regular season matches on the road this season. They will participate in four road tournaments possibly facing up to four teams each time. Their first trip begins on Jan. 31 in Santa Clara, Calif. in the NorCal Cup Tournament and stretches until Feb. 8 with the conclusion of the Stanford Tournament. The team will travel on another short road trip series from Feb 19-22 before finally making their home debut on Mar. 11 against Arizona State. The majority of Hawai'i's season will be decided on the road, compared to last season's seven game home stand.

Hawai'i welcomes in a total of four newcomers, not including its six redshirt freshmen. Monika Eggens, from Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, is a 6'2 utility player who was named Youth Nationals MVP last year. Sivan Pardon, also a utility player from Manhattan Beach, Calif. was picked twice for her conference's all-area first team. Helena Slagter, from Alphen aan den Ryn, Holland was a long-time member of AZC water polo club and will play at 2-meter for Hawai'i this year. Dagmar Genee, also at 2-meter is speculated as Hawai'i's top newcomer from Gorinchem, Netherlands.