2010 Behrend Lions Women's Water Polo Season Preview

The Penn State Behrend women's water polo team enters the 2010 season with high hopes and many familiar faces prepared to face a challenging schedule of competition.  Head coach Joe Tristan returns for his seventh season at the helm of the Behrend Lions water polo program.  Joining coach Tristan are a number of returning players from last year's squad that are looking to increase the win count and compete at a high level each and every day.  "With a good core of players returning to the lineup, the season looks to be bright and eventful with the opportunities to play against some of the best teams in the country," said Coach Tristan.  "We are starting a new journey in our sport with the development of the CWPA Division III Conference and we are very excited."

Three seniors will be expected to lead an experienced squad this spring that features two juniors and three sophomores.  Starting goalie Jenna Zeyfang (Erie/Erie First Academy) returns for her fourth season with the Behrend Lions.  She will serve as co-captain and looks to anchor the defense between the pipes.  Zeyfang has climbed among the program's all-time leaders in the record book as she enters 2010 second in career saves with 219 stops and recorded 102 saves in the 2009 season.  Senior driver and 2010 co-captain Danielle Wilson (Pittsburgh/Plum) returns for her final season for the blue and white.  Wilson saw action in 14 games a year ago and recorded four goals, five assists and eleven steals.  The third senior returner is Jenny LaFuria (North East/North East) who is back for her second season with the Behrend Lions.  LaFuria looks to have success at the driver position and will continue to work hard and compete for Coach Tristan.   

The 2010 women's water polo team will also return junior drivers Tegan Boland (Roselle/Conant) and Jillian Sebrosky (Bethel Park/Bethel Park).  Boland begins her third year of competition while Sebrosky enters her second for the blue and white.  Both players are extremely skilled and will have an immediate impact for the water polo program in the spring.

The sophomore class includes Kendell Duffy (Vernon Hills/Vernon Hills), Hilary MacManus (Beaver Falls/Blackhawk) and Anne Lawrence (State College/State College).  The sophomore players have a year under their belt and will look to be a vital part of the program once again.

The incoming freshman class will feature Kimberly Ballentine (King of Prussia/Upper Merion), Stefania Pontillo (Erie/McDowell), MaryEllen Spooner (Springfield/West Springfield) and Kelly Wehner (Erie/Collegiate Academy).      

Coach Tristan looks ahead to the 2010 season and is eager to compete against some of the best teams in the country.  The season begins on March 4 when the squad travels to Washington & Jefferson before they take their first trip to California and head to the Cal Lutheran Invitational.  The blue and white are scheduled to play four games in two days, beginning with a contest against Cal Baptist on March 6.  The blue and white will host the Behrend Invitational on March 19-21.  The squad will also participate in the highly competitive Wheaton Invitational on March 26-27.  Behrend women's water polo will also be shooting for strong showings on April 10-11 at the CWPA Regional Tournament.  The blue and white finish the regular season at home on April 17 against Chatham University.

The Penn State Behrend Lions enter the season with an exciting return of core players and will strive to make the 2010 season a success.  Coach Tristan said, "I am very excited about our team for the 2010 season.  We have a lot of experienced players that will contend for playing time all year.  I look forward to competing in the inaugural CWPA Division III Conference and beginning a new endeavor for the sport and the CWPA."