UCLA MEN'S WATER POLO: LAPIN EMERGES AS LEADER GOALIE BACKBONE OF BRUINS DEFENSE.

Byline: HEATHER GRIPP

Staff Writer

Chay Lapin aced his version of summer school and is applying what he learned to a UCLA men's water polo team that is looking forward to more high marks this fall.

After spending the summer honing his goalkeeping skills among some of the world's top players as a member of the U.S. Junior National Team, Lapin is the backbone of a defense that has the Bruins ranked No. 3 in the nation entering today's home opener against No. 6 UC Irvine.

"This summer was probably one of my best internationally," said Lapin, a 6-foot-5 sophomore. "I think it helped me a lot. We played against a lot of players who will probably be in the next Olympics, so playing against that kind of competition makes you better. It gives me confidence knowing I can play at that level.

"Playing in the Olympics and playing the highest level of water polo I can has been my goal for a long time. I hope to be playing this sport for a long time. The experience this summer really helped, I think I learned a lot."

While training in Europe with the Junior National Team, Lapin was named Outstanding Goalie of the Tatras Cup in Slovakia. When Team USA returned to Southern California, Lapin posted one of the biggest performances of last month's Junior World Championships by recording 18 saves in a victory over Croatia.

Lapin's track record made the success unsurprising. He had led his high school team to Southern Section championships in each of his four years at Long Beach Wilson. He started 15 games last year as a redshirt freshman and posted a 4.87 goals-against average to earn a spot on the All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation team.

Still, the Bruins are impressed by the strides made since last season.

"I've seen a big difference," coach Adam Krikorian said. "I've seen a tremendous difference in him from last year.

"No. 1, the experience with Junior National Team, it gave him a lot of confidence going into the season. He played really well against some of the top juniors in the world.

"Also, it's his second year playing now. The first year is always tough, you really rely on what you did before. ... At first he tended to think he could just do what he did in high school and still be successful."

An intensified devotion to training now makes it difficult to find a harder worker on the team, Krikorian said. No longer the rookie, Lapin is also feeling more comfortable as the team's vocal leader and field general.

Lapin likes the responsibility of being in such a pivotal position.

"It's fun," Lapin said. "I feel like it's an impact role. It's fun when you do make a big stop. It can change the whole momentum of the game. It is pressure when the game comes down to whether or not you stop the ball, but I don't really feel that much pressure when I'm playing. It's just fun."

Lapin opened the season with 12 saves --a season high so far -- in a victory over Loyola Marymount. He has a 6.33goals-against average.

"His most memorable games are yet to come," Krikorian said. "You're going to see some pretty amazing performances from him. He's one of the best around.

"Our defense is our strength, but it's nice to have someone like Chay back there as that final line of defense. It's reassuring."

With a team that also features threats such as Junior National Team member Scott Davidson and All-American junior Krsto Sbutega among its 15 returning lettermen, the Bruins look to contend for their first national title since 2004.

UCLA (7-1) is coming off a third-place finish at the NorCal tournament, won by top-ranked rival USC.

"I like where we are right now," Krikorian said. "We're not quite there with USC and Cal yet. But we're not too far behind."

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Bruins sophomore goalkeeper Chay Lapin honed his skills during the offseason by playing in Europe with the U.S. Junior National Team.

Courtesy of UCLA