Keisha Clay
Staff Writer

The University of La Verne’s women’s water polo team finished seventh in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships.

The three day championship was hosted by Redlands at the Thompson Aquatic Center.

In the first round of the the women played No. 2 ranked team in SCIAC, Redlands.

This was the ULV women’s best and hardest fought game of the championship.

“We played our best, especially against Redlands,” said Lindsey Watson a junior, a utility player and one of the captains of the team.

“We played harder and better than we had ever done before.”

La Verne lost by only one point, 12-11 in what was a very close game.

Watson scored the goal that tied the Leopards and the Bulldogs 11-11 with a little over three minutes left in the game. Watson finished the game with six goals.

“It was the closest we had ever got to beating Redlands in ULV history,” said Melinda Fairman, a utility player from San Bernardino.

The Leopards played Occidental on the second day of the championship in another close match losing by one again, 8-7.

At halftime the Leopards were leading 5-4 because of the couple shots made by freshman Amanda Fernandez.

Fernandez completed the game with three goals and sophomore goalkeeper Lindsey Jones finished the game with 13 blocks.

“Everyone is stepping their game up,” said Watson. “Amanda Fernandez is an upcoming player. I look forward to seeing her grow next year.”

“We have a very young team,” said Katie Watkins, a junior driver and another captain of the team.

“I am looking forward to next year because we have no graduating seniors.”

“The girls played outstanding, both offensively and defensively,” said Fred Sicard assistant coach of the women’s water polo team.

“Their performance was the best they have done all season.”

On the final day of the championships, after suffering two very close losses, the women’s water polo team was able to notch a win against the Caltech, 13-3.

Watson matched her performance with another six scored goals against Caltech. Jones also made 10 blocks that match.

In the entire three days she was able to get 29 blocks.

Some other notable performances throughout the tournament were Fernandez and freshman Mahina Reyes who scored several goals throughout the three day tournament.

The women’s water polo team remains hopeful for next season.

“We need to make smarter decisions and be more on top of things,” said Watkins.

The Lady Leopards look to get back into preparation for next year in January.

Keisha Clay can be reached at kclay@ulv.edu.