U.S. Women’s Water Polo to Hold Fall Training Session

LOS ALAMITOS, California, September 28. THE first of several fall training sessions for the U.S. Women’s Water Polo National Team will be held October 7-9 at the National Training Center in Los Alamitos, California. Twenty-one of the 24 National Team athletes will take part in the session, including Jackie De Luca, the goalie on the 2004 Olympic Team.

While playing professional ball in Italy, Ericka Lorenz, Heather Petri and Brenda Villa will be missing from the training session. The trio is expected to return in the spring. Guy Baker, who recently returned to the helm of the women’s program, will oversee the five practices that are scheduled. Baker coached the women at the last two Olympiads.

During the training sessions, Baker intends to focus on a handful of rules changes that have been implemented by FINA. The changes include the shortening of the court to 25 meters, a reduction in the shot clock from 35 to 30 seconds and the allowance of a direct shot from five meters.

“At first we will be discussing the new rules, what will be the anticipated impact on the game and how it will affect our game, either positively or negatively,” Baker said. “Then we will begin to implement the new rules into our training and begin to determine what our philosophy will be regarding the new rules.

All members of this training squad will also take part in the Speedo Top 40 Tournament that will be held in Los Alamitos from Nov. 4-6. The following team members will attend the training session: Kami Craig; Gabbie Domanic; Emily Feher; Erika Figge; Jackie De Luca; Natalie Golda; Katie Hansen; Brittany Hayes; Lauren Heineck; Christina Hewko; Jamie Hipp; Jillian Kraus; Kristina Kunkel; Thalia Munro; Brittany Rowe; Kelly Rulon; Lauren Silver; Aimee Stachowski; Moriah Van Norman; Drue Wawrzynski; Lauren Wenger.

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