Preview: No. 3 Women’s Water Polo in Familiar Territory at State Championships

It is nearly impossible to talk about the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championships without recognizing the consistent presence of the Riverside City College women's water polo program. The Tigers have reached the CCCAA State Championships for the fifth-consecutive season and 13 times in the past 15 years to solidify themselves as one of the most noteworthy CCCAA water polo teams in the past decade and a half. They will look to haul in a state title beginning this Friday, November 17^th at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Head Coach Doug Finfrock, who is nearing the end of his fifth year at the helm, has managed a young, yet powerful, Tigers squad into the state championships after compiling an overall record of 25-4 that included a 5-1 conference mark. Finfrock led his team to a 7-0 start and won 14 of his first 15 games of the season.

The Tigers are currently ranked third overall in the state and hold the second seed from the southern region after falling to the 29-win and top-ranked Santa Barbara City College Vaqueros, 6-4, in the CCCAA Southern California Regional playoff championship showdown this past Saturday.

Riverside will enter into battle against the top-seeded northern region team in Sierra (24-5). The two teams met in late October at the Long Beach City College Tournament and Riverside narrowly edged Sierra, 9-8. Freshman attacker Katy Peterson (Menifee, CA) went off for four goals in the contest, backed by three netters from freshman attacker Anay Ramirez (Riverside, CA). Sophomore attacker Josceline Godinez (Murrieta, CA) dished out three assists as well.

There have been many consistent trends for the Tigers this season with the most consistent coming in the form of freshman goalkeeper Hannah McCarley (Riverside, CA). McCarley recorded nine saves in the victory over Sierra and the win acted as her 16^th of the season. Since then, the freshman phenome has recorded 23 victories and has notched 225 saves. She has recorded 11 double-digit save games this season with a career-high of 16 saves coming twice in a win over San Joaquin Delta and a loss against Orange Coast.

Peterson has been a sneaky offensive monster in the pool by leading the team in goals with 64 which places her tied for fifth place in the Orange Empire Conference (OEC). She held a 16-game scoring streak early in the season that saw 42 of her goals come in that span. She has spread the love as well by serving up 24 assists on the year.

Strong offense typically derives from stronger defense and sophomore attacker Dafne Garcia (Mexico City, NM) has provided that and much more. Garcia currently holds a total of 52 steals and at one point in the season paced the state in that category. Freshman center Kate Fox (Murrieta, CA) has chipped in by notching 23 drawn ejections as well. Fox has also chipped in on the offensive end by firing home 54 scores.

Stay tuned to www.rccathletics.com for information regarding the women's water polo team's progress throughout the championships.