SOMETHIN` IS BRUIN THE FACT THE COACH AND THREE PLAYERS FROM UCLA REPRESENT U.S. WATER POLO GIVES THE SQUAD EXCEPTIONAL CHEMISTRY -- AND HIGH EXPECTATIONS.Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer When a head coach, a clutch scorer and a goalkeeper capable of stopping the world's best were needed, the U.S. women's water polo water polo, swimming game encompassing features of soccer, football, basketball, and hockey. The object of the game is to maneuver, by head, feet, or hand, a leather-covered ball 27 to 28 in. team only had to turn to one place: UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX . Head coach Guy Baker and three of the players who helped his Bruins win four of the past five national titles are using their special bond to give the U.S. national team exceptional chemistry and high expectations for the sport's Olympic debut in Sydney. ``There's definitely some benefit to it,'' Baker said of the UCLA connection, which includes goalkeeper Nicolle Payne Nicolle Katherine Payne (born July 15, 1976 in Paramount, California) is an American water polo player, who won the silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The goalkeeper was also a member of the US team that won the bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics. , playmaker play·mak·er n. A player in a sport with goals, such as a guard in basketball, who initiates offensive plays. play Coralie Simmons Coralie Denise Simmons (born March 1, 1977 in Hemet, California) is an American water polo player, who won the silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics. In 2001, she won the Peter J. Cutino Award, presented annually to the top American collegiate water polo player. and 2-meter defender Robin Beauregard Robin Mary Beauregard (born February 23, 1979 in Long Beach, California) is an American water polo player, who won the silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics. She also won a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Beauregard plays the position of center defender. . ``That's one of our strengths, our chemistry. They get along outside of the pool, but it's when they're in the water you see they've got this chemistry. They read each other and just work really well together.'' The trio of UCLA players spent only one season - 1998 - together as Bruins but have remained teammates since then at the national level. ``It's a lot of fun,'' Simmons said. ``You know a lot about the people around you this way.'' The friendship among the Bruins spreads to the rest of the team. Several of the players live near one another in Irvine and get together frequently. They've started a book club in which each player selects a book that everyone reads. By now, they're all familiar with Baker, but having players who understood the coach's style and lofty expectations helped early. Baker, who also is UCLA's men's coach and has two members of that team headed to Sydey as well, has won at least one national championship each year since the women's program started in 1995. ``I bring high expectations to the table,'' Baker said. ``I like to be successful. ``I've coached a lot of great players at UCLA. You learn as much from the players as you do from anything, so that's a big factor.'' Beauregard, 21, taught him that women can be just as tough as men by not letting a multitude of injuries hold her back. Her latest mishap (language) MISHAP - An early system on the IBM 1130. [Listed in CACM 2(5):16, May 1959]. was a dislocated dis·lo·cate tr.v. dis·lo·cat·ed, dis·lo·cat·ing, dis·lo·cates 1. To put out of usual or proper place, position, or relationship. 2. knee suffered when the three-time high school All-American played with the Marina High boys' team. ``Robin's had a lot of injuries, so dealing with pain is an art form for her,'' Baker said. ``If she's not the strongest player in the world, she's one of them.'' And Payne, 24, would have to be one of the most determined. At the Holiday Cup in July, which featured the six teams competing in the Olympics, Payne platooned with USC's Bernice Orwig Bernice Jane Orwig (born November 24, 1976) is an American water polo player, who won the silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics. Orwig plays the position of goalie. On the college level, Orwig played for USC. . Payne won three national championships and was a three-time first-team All-American at UCLA and had been a starter for the national team since 1995. That she became part-time starter only increased the intensity Baker has come to expect from a player who is one of the most quiet outside of the pool. Payne made 13 saves in the final to lead the U.S. to the title and earn tournament Most Outstanding Goalkeeper honors. ``I really wanted to play,'' Payne said. ``So I stayed focused the whole time, and played with as much intensity as I can when I got my chance.'' Baker expects both Payne and Orwig to receive significant playing time in Sydney. He's also counting on plenty of scoring from Simmons. ``She's one of the best all-around players in the world,'' Baker said. ``If she plays well, we're probably going to do well in the Olympics.'' Simmons, 23, was the 1998 Collegiate Player of the Year and MVP (Multimedia Video Processor) A high-speed DSP chip from Texas Instruments, introduced in 1994. Officially introduced as the TMS320C80, it combines RISC technology with the functionality of four DSPs on one chip. of the Collegiate National Championships. She grew up swimming and playing soccer and added water polo to the mix while at Hemet High. Reaching the Olympics was always a goal, but she didn't think it would be possible in water polo since the the sport was not in the Olympics. Now that she has her chance, count on the quick outside shooter to show off the ability that earned her Most Valuable Offensive Player honors at the Holiday Cup, where she scored 13 goals in six games. ``It's always been a dream, but until you actually make the team, it's not reality,'' Simmons said. ``Now that it is, it's just crazy that it's happening. . . . It's just awesome for the sport and being able to do it with your friends makes it even better.'' ROBIN BEAUREGARD Age: 21 Residence: Huntington Beach Huntington Beach, city (1990 pop. 181,519), Orange co., S Calif., on the Pacific coast, across from Santa Catalina Island, in an oil-producing area; inc. 1909. It manufactures aerospace vehicles, aircraft parts, optical instruments, and heat transfer equipment. College: UCLA Past Olympics: None Highlights: Starting two-meter defender . . . helped lead UCLA to '98 NCAA NCAA abbr. National Collegiate Athletic Association title . . . played with Marina High School Marina High School (Marina) is a secondary school located in the northwest corner of Huntington Beach, California which first began operating in 1963. Marina is part of the Huntington Beach Union High School District, which includes several other area high schools. boys' team that reached section Division II Championship. NICOLLE PAYNE Age: 24 Residence: Cerritos College: UCLA Past Olympics: None Highlights: Starting goalkeeper . . . helped lead UCLA to NCAA titles in '96, '97 and '98 . . . a three-time All-American. CORALIE SIMMONS Age: 23 Residence: Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. College: UCLA Past Olympics: None Highlights: Starting attacker . . . '98 NCAA player of the year . . . three- time NCAA champion at UCLA. CAPTION(S): photo, 3 boxes Photo: UCLA is well represented on the US.'s women's water polo team. The Bruins' Guy Baker is coach and Coralie Simmons (pictured), Nicolle Payne and Robin Beauregard are on the team. Kirby Lee/Special to the Daily News Box: (1) ROBIN BEAUREGARD (see text) (2) NICOLLE PAYNE (see text) (3) CORALIE SIMMONS (see text) |
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