COC NOTEBOOK: FOR WOMEN'S WATER POLO, ADVERTISING WORKS.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

VALENCIA - After all the strategy sessions, countless hours of practice and a few weeks' worth of game experience, the most effective method of improvement for the College of the Canyons women's water polo team were the fliers posted around campus to attract more players.

The Cougars recently got someone to respond to one of the fliers, and what they got was exactly what they needed: an experienced player. Freshman driver Lindsay Berke comes to the team having played four years on varsity at Newbury Park High, where she earned All-Marmonte League honors.

``She's pretty good,'' said Cougars coach Diana Stanich, whose team is filled with players who had never played before.

Berke made her debut with the Cougars on Wednesday at the Citrus Mini Tourney. She had two steals and two assists in the first game. College of the Canyons lost 9-6 to Citrus, but the six goals were the most the winless Cougars had scored this season. In the second game - a 15-1 loss to Ventura - Berke contributed a steal and an assist.

``It definitely made an improvement,'' Stanich said of Berke's addition. ``This team has such a great attitude and works hard, but what we lack is that experience.''

Ready or not, the Cougars begin Western State Conference play this week. They open at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Cuesta.

--She's a keeper: Goalkeeper Theresa Gilmore of the women's water polo team is facing so many shots it's not surprising opponents are scoring against her, but the freshman also is stopping enough to rank among the state leaders in saves. Her 93 saves entering the weekend were second-best in the state. She is on pace to make more than 300 saves this season, which would easily break the state record of 270.

--Now or never: The one consolation for the women's soccer team during its dreadful start was knowing that the losses didn't count toward conference standings because only division games count this year.

However, division play starts this week and the Cougars' offense hasn't been getting any more productive. Last week's 3-1 loss to Cuesta dropped Canyons to 1-5-2, more than doubling the loss total of last year's WSC championship team.

After playing host to first-year program Mission on Wednesday, the Cougars open WSC South play against another newcomer, Valley, on Friday.

--Odds and ends: The women's golf team is undefeated through three WSC matches and each time the Cougars have a different player leading the way. Carla Loomis, the only returnee from last year's state championship team, took medalist in the season opener. Desiree Banlowe finished first the next week, followed by Janet Richards last week. COC has this week off from WSC play. ...

The cross country team was without several members for the first meet of the season, but the Cougars were back at full strength for this past weekend as the College of the Canyons men placed sixth in the L.A. Invitational.