Balance the Name of the Game for Scots' Women's Water Polo in 2020

by Dan Nolan

Monmouth, IL (02/19/2020) — For the first time since 2016, the Monmouth College women's water polo team will take the pool without a 50-goal scorer returning, but that's not all bad.

"Of course losing (all-time leading scorer) Becca Dabrowski to graduation is a big hit offensively," admitted Peter Ollis, who enters his fifth year at Monmouth. "But we have four of our top five scorers back and we expect to have a more diverse offense, which in turn will make us a much tougher offense to defend."

Monmouth's offensive returners include a pair of all-league players from a season ago: junior Miranda Pasky (Paso Robles, Calif./Paso Robles) and sophomore Skylar Rapp (Oxnard, Calif./Oxnard). Rapp netted 26 goals last season, second only to Dabrowski. Pasky scored 18 times and Marissa Logan (Elmhurst, Ill./York), now a sophomore, pumped in 23. The squad's two seniors - Emily Matthews (Flossmoor, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) and Brittany Lira (Midlothian, Ill./Bremen) - rounded out the double-digit scorers with 16 and 10 goals, respectively.

"We're excited for the season and have a large and talented freshman class," reported Ollis of his six newcomers. "As far as returners, we have all the impact players back with the exception of Becca. Miranda and Skyler's impact will not only be from scoring goals and playing defense, but from their leadership. They're very versatile and are helping the freshmen make the transition to college ball."

Ollis' squad transitioned last year's freshmen into key cogs in the development of the program and the four return as sophomores who could have major roles.

"Marissa did an excellent job in the transition last season, playing off of Becca to find the seam in the defense," said Ollis of Logan. "She, Lindsey Turnquist (Ventura, Calif./Buena) and the rest of this year's sophomore's continued that development for this spring so we can be a little less predictable with our offense. Our team has matured and our overall talent level has increased. Those are all positive things."

The increased talent of the underclassmen has also added value to seniors Matthews and Lira.

"Emily and Brittany are able to do whatever we ask of them," praised Ollis. "This year looks like they'll have a much bigger impact on the offensive end. Our offense is based off of our defense with counterattacks and they've seen it for the first three years of their college careers. The difference this year is we'll have different scoring options. It's not always going to be feeding one person in the half court."

The "talented freshman group" which includes freshman utility player Cassidy Wolf (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way) could also have an immediate impact, provided they can adjust quickly to the college game. Ashling Staunton (Chicago, Ill./Taft) and Becca Waxberg (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway Central) headline the new offensive threats.

"We've got some good lefties and good centers in the freshman class," said Ollis. "Ashling will be at center and Becca will do some good things as an attacker. That's a pretty good tandem to have for the next four years. When you look at what we have returning, we expect to have a very dangerous offensive unit this year."

The Scots could have as many as four different women feeding the offense from the center position as Ollis named Lira, Staunton, Turnquist and freshman Katlynn LaGrone (Flossmoor, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) as viable centers.

"Much like our attackers, we'll have a multi-headed monster at center," predicted Ollis. "We'll be a little different on the defensive end with a new goalkeeper, but still a veteran group in front of her."

Freshman Kayle Heumann (Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg) gets the nod in net. Matched with what Ollis calls "outstanding defenders," the Scots should improve on their 12.9 goals allowed average from 2019.

"Miranda and Skylar return as our two best defenders," smiled Ollis. "They play great center shutdown defense. Lindsey will probably also play some center defense. That gives us nine ejections to work with instead of the usual three which means we can play even more aggressive defense than we already do."

The Scots also expect good defense from returner Celia Rodriguez (Chicago, Ill./John F. Kennedy) and newcomer Abigail Guerrero (Flossmoor, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor).

"Cece has put in an unbelievable amount of work to get ready for the season," praised Ollis. "She's in great shape and adds to our really good depth. Everyone will have an opportunity to grow this season."

Ollis also expects growth in the net where Heumann follows a tradition of standout goalkeepers.

"Kayle is super solid and a great passer," reported Ollis. "She's got the perfect temperament for a goalie. She's calm and unflappable, and will set up our defense."

The league's coaches are also optimistic, ranking the Scots third in the initial preseason poll. Ollis had an interesting take on the balloting.

"We've never finished where we've been ranked at the start of the year," he reported. "We've always finished higher than our early ranking. Really, preseason polls are fun to talk about, but we've got to play the games. I think we're in a good spot, but it's a new experience without that one go-to scorer right now. We'll have to have multiple people step up. We have the talent. We just have to perform in the pool and who knows, that one go-to bona fide scorer may yet emerge this spring."