DANIELLA BOSIO
Assistant Sports Editor
The Pepperdine women’s lacrosse team has trained hard during Fall Ball to prepare for a spring season unlike any other. Last month, the Waves traveled to Hawaii to play in a tournament against several worthy opponents. The tournament wass important for the Waves because they are trying to become a Division 1 program, and by playing opponents from across the United States and around the world, the Waves could gain some recognition from other top programs.
The team is led by senior President Taylor Calley and sophomore Vice President Jenna Chang. They are coached by Paul Ramsey, and he is assisted by Kinsley O’Garrow. Ramsey, a former lacrosse coach at UC Santa Barbara and Westmont, is entering his second year as head coach for the Waves. O’Garrow, a former lacrosse assistant at Denver and current national team member, is entering her second season as assistant for the Waves.
After finishing last season with a record of 5-13 overall and 1-6 in Conference games, the Waves are hoping to work hard during this off-season to gain more recognition in their league.
Ramsey has several goals for his team in this upcoming spring season.
“Our main goal for the spring season is to play our best each game we play,” Ramsey said. “Another goal is to improve from last year. We were 5-13, and we have hopes of reversing that record. We also have a shot at making the playoffs so that’s a natural goal.”
Chang said the team learned a lot during last season and ended up better after all the down times.
“Last year was a transitional year for our team,” Chang said. “We had a very limited amount of players who played before, so it was a big teaching year. From the beginning of the year to the end, the team improved immensely and we ended up being a good team.”
Right now the Waves are in their Fall Ball season. During this period, the team plays in several scrimmages and tournaments to prepare for their season. The team trains Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and members are required to do workouts outside of practice.
“Fall Ball is a great opportunity to teach beginners the game of lacrosse,” Chang said. “It is also a great way to bond as a team and learn how each person plays.”
The team played in five scrimmages in October and attended the Hawaii Lacrosse Invitational Tournament in Honolulu, Hawaii from Oct. 28-30.
Although the Waves do not yet have an official schedule for the tournament, they expect to play teams from all around the United States and even some international teams from Japan and Hong Kong. This tournament will mark the end of the official Fall Ball season for the Waves.
The Waves will begin their official spring season in January. The team competes in the Western Women’s Lacrosse League, which is the most competitive college-club league in the country. The teams in this league compete for three spots to qualify for the WDIA National Championship Tournament in May. The WDIA National Tournament is similar to the NCAA tournament for lacrosse. Sixteen teams battle in the tournament until one is crowned WDIA National Champion.
This year the Waves will play against teams such as UC Santa Barbara, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, University of Southern California, San Diego State University, Occidental College, UCLA, UC San Diego and UC Irvine. The team will also host the Four Points by Sheraton Tournament during the spring. Last year, teams such as BYU, Buffalo, Texas Tech and Northeastern came to the tournament.
“My hopes for this season, especially as the only senior leaving Pepperdine, is for the team to get better in basic skills, be unified and also get recognized school-wide,” Calley said. “We are a special club sport because we are trying to go Division 1. Opportunities like going to Hawaii will hopefully help with that.”
Both Calley and Chang are excited about this upcoming season. Both women, coming off their first year of playing lacrosse, said they believe that this team will be united and ready for a strong season.
The team is comprised of several returners and many newcomers to the game. Calley and Chang both finished their first year of playing lacrosse and said they have found a love for the game.
“Lacrosse was a sport I had never had the opportunity to try,” Chang said. “When the opportunity came around, I had to take it. I love how challenging lacrosse is. It is a fantastic sport and unlike anything I have ever played before.”
Calley, like Chang, said she did not know anything about lacrosse until last year. It is primarily an East Coast sport and is spreading quickly to the west.
“It’s a good way to get involved on campus, get exercise, meet some great girls and compete on a competitive team,” Calley said.
The team this year will consist of 27 girls, 10 of whom are newcomers to the game. Ramsey is excited about the new team and said he believes that many women join the team because lacrosse is enjoyable and different.
“Lacrosse has an intangible appeal that only those who’ve played it can understand,” Ramsey said. “I think it’s appealing to a lot of young women because it’s new and different. It is also a great way to stay competitive in college and be part of a team.”
Calley and Chang encourage fans to come watch them in action at Alumni Park.
“This season we will continue to work on our individual and team skills,” Chang said. “We hope to be very competitive this season, especially in our league play.”
11-03-2005