 "Photo: Lori Krueger | Special to the Chronicle")
 "Photo: Lori Kreuger | Special to the Chronicle")
The CSUSB women’s water polo team has done a 180.
This time last year the lady ‘Yotes were 4-6 and finished 12-23, but after a strong start this year, they’re 10-4.
A combination of recruiting, team spirit and the hands-on approach by their new coach, Sarah Reneker, has contributed to the success.
“We’ve brought in some really good recruits this season in Ashley de Jonckheere, Lenzie Quist, and Teresa Martinez,” said Emily Hove, a returning sophomore. “Having them come in is a huge advantage. Also, we didn’t lose anyone to graduation last year so the chemistry is really good and having these solid players come in has helped us tremendously.”
Coach Reneker agrees with Hove.
“The new additions to the team have been a bonus. The key is that there’s a night and day difference in heart of the team between this year and last. The heart and the passion have
increased and that has everything to do with the way we’re currently playing,” Reneker said.
Although the majority of the teams the Coyotes have played this season are not part of their conference, the games have been good preparation for league play.
“The rest of the season is going to be a lot more challenging. We just played Cal State East Bay who are ranked 19th in the nation and we lost by a single goal in overtime,” said Hove.
“Even though we lost, it was a big accomplishment. It showed that we’ve really improved. Last year at the same tournament we lost to them by five goals.”
Although chemistry and recruiting are important factors, Coach Reneker's impact is huge. This is her first true season as head coach, and her players think her hands on approach is working.
“The fact that she’ll get in the water with us and practice is huge. She plays as if she was a player on the team, like one of us,” said Danika Vera, who is in her second season with the team.
Hove agrees, “Because our Coach was an all American and has only been out of college for a couple years, she knows how it is.”
“She knows what we’re going through and how to overcome obstacles, she can relate to every one of us. She’s experienced many of the same things we go through and knows what she did to get past those things. She passes that on to us.”
“Her attitude is so positive and that makes us want to work harder.”
Reneker’s experience has helped her tremendously as a coach.
“I’ve had the experience at the collegiate level and I know the intensity that they need to bring. Because of that I show them new moves that they’ll be able to use in games and improve
technique. The more intensity we have the harder it will be for other teams to keep up.”
Intensity has a constant this season, even in practice and the hard work and extra swimming are paying off.
“I think we are a fourth-quarter team. There are times when we’ve started kind of slow, but we’ve done a ton of swimming and conditioning so we’re all in good shape. That shows in
the fourth quarter that we’re strong. In our overtime win against Occidental, we were able to pull away and win,” said Hove.
Reneker is please with their results so far.
“The team in general is working really well together. They’re making each other look really good. As long as they continue to play their hearts out every game, I won’t be
disappointed,” said Reneker.
“A top three finish is a realistic goal for us; I could see that it happening.”
Only time will tell.
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