CSUN READY FOR PLUNGE IN WATER POLO.

Byline: LEE BARNATHAN University Beat

Despite losing its first coach two months after he was hired, the Cal State Northridge women's water polo team is ready to play.

In late October, when Molly Barnes took over the Matadors' program, few thought it would get off the ground. Barnes took over from Stuart Blumkin, who was hired July 20 and resigned two months later.

Barnes wasn't sure she could assemble a team in just four months. She wasn't satisfied with the four players she had during fall practice, and most area high schools and junior colleges didn't realize CSUN was starting a program.

But with a lot of work, determination, hustle and luck, CSUN begins its inaugural season Wednesday at Claremont. The home opener is March 8 at 4 p.m. against defending national champion UCLA.

Thursday, Barnes surveyed the pool, where 15 players practiced, and smiled.

``It's awesome,'' she said. ``We are going to beat most expectations. We've got a roster that's better than most first-year programs.''

She ought to know. She helped start Loyola Marymount's program in 1998. That team had eight players, many of whom had never played before. At Northridge, seven played in junior college. Plus, Barnes said, there's more talent here.

There's an honest-to-goodness goalie, junior Jessica Moody, who played at Palomar College; a real two-meter/hole set player, Melissa Hall, who was a part of Ventura High's first team in 1997 and Hawaii's first team in 1998. She also played at Ventura College.

The Matadors also have swimmers such as junior Lisa Cristol and freshman Ashley Hunhoff, who have some water polo experience, a genuine set defender in junior Jamie McGray, and another two-meter player in junior Katie Roth.

Plus, they have Barnes, who is from UCLA, one of the top four programs in the nation. She's also brought in some help, including her brother Tony, who played at UCLA, and two former Olympians, Sean Nolan and Troy Barnhart.

``We're making history,'' Moody said.

The players know they'll take their lumps but hope for victories against Arizona State (also a new program), Pacific and UC Irvine.

``It'll take awhile, but there's potential,'' sophomore set defender Pam Barba said. `'Two years, that's a good amount of time to get to know each other. Right now, we're learning each other's moves. In two years, we'll be able to compete with the top team and beat them, hopefully.''

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Photo:

(1 -- 2) Cameron Fox, top, battles with teammate Katie Roth at a practice for the newly formed Cal State Northridge water polo team. At left, Mellisa Hall takes a break during polo practice.