The Oregon Club Sports water polo team heads into a tournament this weekend in Corvallis hot after a strong showing in Albuquerque, N.M.
The Ducks are 9-5 after going 4-2 en route to a fifth place finish in Albuquerque. They were proud of their effort because of the tough competition they faced, said Anthony Tran, a freshman biology major.
“A lot of those teams were really good,” Tran said. “We got a lot of experience there.”
At Oregon State this weekend the team will play about five games in the 10-team tournament. Saturday will feature pool play, with Sunday’s championship playoff bracket formed from the pool result, said Ben Gottileb, a senior in sociology.
The tournament will include high school all-star teams as well as masters club teams, which are teams made up of former college players and other older water polo players.
The team is optimistic about its chances in Corvallis.
“I’m expecting to win,” said Gottileb.
He is not alone in his expectations for the weekend.
“I think we will do well,” Tran said. “We are looking to beat OSU.”
That is something the team has yet to do in five tries against the Beavers dating back since the past fall season.
The setbacks against Oregon State have not stopped the Ducks from improving, Gottileb said.
He said the team’s improvement is because of consistent goalie play and an increased effort by the veteran players on the team.
While it is a men’s club team, women are also allowed to play. The only woman on the squad, Amanda Studdard, has had a big impact since joining the team earlier this spring.
“She’s amazing,” Gottileb said. “She’s been the motivation that turned the team around.”
Oregon students have one more chance to see the improvement the team has made this season. The last home game for the team and its four seniors is next Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. at the Leighton Pool. The game is free to students and Gottileb urged people to come and support the team.