CWPA Season Starts with Michigan-Indiana Rivalry
4/1/2016 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
April 1, 2016
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The non-conference season is over, and now the CWPA schedule will begin with a bang as rivals Michigan and Indiana will square off on Saturday (April 2) at 11 a.m. on the Big Ten Network.
These are the types of games every student-athlete in every sport at every school waits for year round. For these two teams, the rivalry has been built as many rivalries have, on close games.
"Everyone brings their 'A' game," said senior Ali Thomason. "It is the game everybody waits for. It doesn't matter what your ranking is or what your record is, it seems like these games are always decided by one goal."
That was the case last season in Dr. Marcelo Leonardi's first year at Michigan. The two schools played three times, and all were decided by one goal with two finishing up in extra time. Indiana took two of three, winning 9-8 at the Triton Invitational in San Diego and 9-8 in overtime in the semifinals of the CWPA Championships. Michigan won 13-12 in double overtime at home on a goal by Danielle Robinson. Thomason had six goals in that game.
"Conference play has more meaning behind it," said Thomason. "We played them close three times last year. Everyone brings a little more to those games. It means something to beat them."
Leonardi got his first taste of the rivalry and appreciates those environments, but his main focus is on starting the conference season off strong this year.
"Just like in football, volleyball, baseball everybody dresses up and puts stickers on their face," said Leonardi. "In terms of our conference, this game is not bigger than any other games. The preparation we have had leading up to this has prepared us to play a rival school."
Over the course of time, these two schools have played 51 times, with Michigan winning 34 of those battles. However, Indiana has won six of the last seven. During the series history, 22 of the games have been decided by one goal, and 13 games have gone to overtime. That is the definition of a rivalry and will assure a great atmosphere on Saturday in Bloomington.
"We definitely have to go to a hostile environment to try and win a tough game," said Leonardi. "The buzz and excitement is incredible. Emotions are a little bit higher because both schools are trying to win for their program and their university. But once the whistle is blown, water polo is water polo."
Communications Contact: Ben Blevins
