After a triumphant season last year, the Blues’ men’s and women’s water polo teams are set to compete again this fall. With both teams awarded medals in last season’s oua championships, it appears that the Varsity water polo teams are performing at their highest levels to date.
Coached by Vlad Tasevski and Jamie Earle, the men’s team has a history of performing strongly in the oua, winning the banner in 2009 with a perfect 12–0 season. Not only was the team able to reach the oua finals again in November 2012, but it also succeeded in claiming their 29th provincial title in the program’s history, after defeating Carleton University. The victory was in no small part due to seasoned players — including all-stars Tuna Tali, Marko Brasic, and championship mvp Alan Chung. Although the Blues lost to the Carleton Ravens in their 2011 gold medal match, they redeemed themselves with their 5–0 win during the following season.
Having now claimed seven of the last eight oua championship titles, the Blues have proven themselves to be an excellent team. With some players now having reached their fifth year of cis eligibility, they will therefore be unable to play in the upcoming season, the pressure is on to maintain that level of achievement.
Likewise, the women’s water polo team has also demonstrated its prowess in the pool. The team has secured the oua banner four times in program history (1988, 1993, 2008, 2011), with Carleton University winning a record eight titles. Last year, standout Danielle Hirsh scored a team-high of nine goals, leading the Blues to a silver medal finish in the oua finals. Hirsh and Stephanie Watson were oua water polo all-stars from the Blues’ team.
Despite being set on repeating their win in 2011 to become oua champions, the Blues were felled by the Carleton Ravens late last November in Ottawa. The women’s team has faced Carleton in the oua finals five times, with the Ravens winning three out of the five encounters. Led by their head coach, George Gross, this year will be another chance for the women’s water polo team to improve its standing against its adversary.
This aggressive water sport consists of six players and one goalie, with the winner determined by whoever scores the most goals in the pool. Players attempt to pass a ball and score while being defended by opposing team members. Given the demanding nature of the game — requiring high skills in swimming and treading water — the Varsity teams can be spotted training regularly at Varsity Pool in the Athletic Centre.
The oua season begins in September and continues until the end of November.
