Five Women's Water Polo Players Notch Inaugural Goals in 16-1 Win over Caltech

Kalli Vellis looks to shoot the ball against Caltech

Photo credit: Nani Sarango

Posted: Mar 10, 2018

The University of Redlands women's water polo team returned to Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) action on Saturday morning by taking on the visiting Caltech Beavers. While using 11 different goal-scorers, including five who registered their first collegiate goals, the Bulldogs cruised to a 16-1 victory to jump back in the win column.

Junior center Kolby Kahahawai (Kailua, HI) set the triumphant tone early with back-to-back goals, including the eventual game-winner off an assist from sophomore attacker Olivia Allen (Santa Monica, CA). Redlands continued to press the offensive gas pedal in the first quarter and ran away with a 5-0 lead. Junior attacker Wendy McAleer (Simi Valley, CA) provided an assist and a goal by the end of the period.

Defensively, junior goalkeeper Kelly Grosswendt (Newbury Park, CA) and company limited the Beavers' opportunities by pressuring them away from the Bulldogs' cage. By the end of the game, Redlands had registered 16 steals.

During the second stanza, sophomore attacker Marie Sandstrom (Rhinelander, WI) and first-year attacker August Key (Albuquerque, NM) notched their first-ever goals for the Bulldogs, with Key firing off consecutive scores to put Redlands up, 9-0, with 2:11 to go in the frame.

Although Caltech managed to score early in the third period, the Bulldogs were unfazed and finished the game with a 6-0 run. First-year attacker Kayla Takakura (Wailuku, HI), first-year defender Jena Suzuki (Wailuku, HI), and first-year defender Kalli Vellis (Burlingame, CA) each scored at least once in the final 15 minutes of the contest to register their respective inaugural goals in a Bulldog cap. Sandstrom also provided two assists in the final period.

Grosswendt finished with the win while making nine stops and snagging four steals.

Takakura provided two goals and four steals, while junior attacker Sami Walker (Taylorsville, UT) supplied two goals and two assists in the win. Furthermore, junior attacker Breanna O'Dea (Rowland Heights, CA), first-year defender Sarah Draves (Fallbrook, CA), and sophomore attacker Courtney Gray (Yucaipa, CA) each scored once.

Redlands (3-10, 2-1 SCIAC) heads to Cal Baptist University later today for a non-conference bout against the Lancers. The first sprint is scheduled for 6 p.m.