Water Polo Not Rebuilding, Just Retooling
September 27, 2000 | Men's Water Polo
Sept. 27, 2000
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To say that the 2000 version of the USC men's water polo team is young would be an understatement.
Head Coach Jovan Vavic has brought in 15 freshmen this season to create an infusion of energy in the program, only two years removed from winning the national championship. USC, finished with a 22-5 overall record last year and a 6-2 record in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play, will try to rebound from a disappointing fifth-place finish at the 1999 MPSF Championships.
Despite the fact that so many freshmen will see playing time, the Trojans also have a couple of capable veterans, including All-American candidates George Csaszar (Budapest, Hungary) and Ivan Babic (Belgrade, Yugoslavia).
Csaszar, one of only three seniors on the team, is one of the fastest players in the nation and his left-handed shot gives USC another dimension on the offensive attack. The 6-3, 175-pound driver is USC's most dangerous player.
"He is playing at a different level," said Vavic. "I think he is going to have an outstanding year."
Babic, a 6-2, 210-pound junior, has enough experience as a utility player and has the potential to be the team's most valuable player.
"He works hard and can play on both ends of the pool," said Vavic. "He is also one of the team's vocal leaders."
The Trojans can also for help from senior driver Stever O'Rourke (Huntington Beach)
One example of the Trojans' young talent comes in the form of a freshman who looks more like he should be playing on the offensive line of the football team. Pedrag Damjanov is a 6-6, 295-pound two-meter player from Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and despite his size, is a very agile player in the pool.
"He has a lot of moves," said Vavic. "He is unstoppable in a one-on-one situation and if teams decided to play that way with him, he is going to hurt them. He is mobile and is a good swimmer. He has more than one move and he has very quick hands."
USC will also receive help from two-meter freshman Tim Wollthan.
"Tim has all the tools," said Vavic. "He is a good passer and he understands the game."
The Trojans will turn to senior Darin Smith (Huntington Beach) in goal. He can provide enough leadership in the back to help the young Trojans.
"He is in the best shape of his career," said Vavic. "He is very consistent and a tough goalie. He is an excellent passer on a fast break and a good communicator. He is a very poised goalie."
Vavic can also plug in redshirt freshman Bozidar Damjanovic (Belgrade, Yugoslavia).
"It's a young team, but I think we are very good for a young team," said Vavic. "Some of those freshmen have played internationally so they have played at a different level than most incoming freshmen. The key is going to be how quickly the players learn to play with each other and how quickly they understand our concept of offense and defense."
During preseason workouts, Vavic already has seen a marked difference from last year. A lot of the new energy comes from a hungrier team compared to a squad that had won the national championship in 1998 and perhaps lost its focus.
"I like the excitement of this team," said Vavic. "Last year's team won it the year before and I don't believe they were as hungry. The workouts last year were a little bit less enthusiastic, which is natural when you win and have so many fifth-year seniors. This team is hungrier than last year and I think that should be our strength. We are solid in every position and have depth at each position. We have a pretty fast team and good leadership."
The excitement of youth, however, can also be a weakness compared against more experienced college teams.
"It depends on how quick they step up to this level," said Vavic. "Injuries always have been a problem in the past for us. If we get all of our guys healthy and everyone is ready to play, we are going to be very tough to beat."
The big change this year that will impact the sport of men's water polo is the elimination of the two-point shot. Expect a more even playing field for all of the collegiate teams.
"I think everyone at this level has been to the point where you have played with or without a two-point shot so I think all the coaches are in the same boat," said Vavic. "What happens now without the two-point shot, you have a lot of teams that will use drop or zone defenses. Teams with a good goalie and a strong defense now will be dangerous. Without the two-point shot, you will not blow away teams."
The 2000 USC men's water polo team possesses strong veteran leadership with a mix of young talent. With a bit of luck, the Trojans may once again experience the feeling of being national champions.
