[Lauren Shelburne | Banner] Jocelyn Schwegler, junior psychology major, takes a shot on goal during practice in preparation for the upcoming season.
With a new season just around the corner, the women’s water polo team at California Baptist University is training hard for the future.
Valerie Spezzaferri, senior criminal justice major, said she is looking forward to the upcoming season.
“I’m excited about having a new group and coming out and proving ourselves just like we have before,” Spezzaferri said. “We’ve been working really hard at practices in the morning, doing a lot of conditioning.”
The team has wasted no time during its preparation season. With six weeks of strength training and four weeks of velocity training under their belts, they are ready to go head-to-head against competition. However, their preparation does not stop in the pool or weight room.
Paizlee Dreyer, senior communication studies major, said training within the weight room and pool is only one part of the process.
“I have been focusing a lot more on making sure I am getting all the nutrients I need for a healthy practice and a healthy lift,” Dreyer said.
The hard work and dedication these women have for the sport they love is evident.However, the team is under no illusion that this season will not have its challenges. Spezzaferri said faith is an important component to the team when the challenges and trying times begin to seem overbearing.
“We have a team verse, Proverbs 27, it says iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another,” Spezzaferri said. “(It) keeps us encouraging each other, being there for each other and sharpening each other to make one another better.”
The team will continue to prepare for the season as they work together to train hard.
The team will begin its season Jan. 20 at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Winter Invite, ready to play hard.
They will begin their homestand Jan. 28 at the CBU Mini Invitational against University of California, Irvine, and Concordia University Irvine.
