Nov. 21, 2008
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State water polo head coach Carin Crawford announced Friday the signing of seven athletes to National Letters of Intent. All seven will be on campus next year and will be eligible to play immediately beginning with the 2010 campaign.
Highlighting the 2010 signing class is a talented trio from Chino Hills Area Water Polo (CHAWP) in Amber Pezzola, Alex Ford and Courtney Muller, who were coached by Greg Salvinski. The CHAWP program is arguably the top age-group girls water polo club in the nation, having won both the United States Club Championship and the U-18 Junior Olympic championship in the summer of 2008.
Amber Pezzolla, from San Dimas, Calif., is a 5-7 utility player who is currently attending Bonita High School. A two-sport athlete who also competes in swimming, Pezzola was the Miramonte League co-MVP, a first-team all-Miramonte selection and a second-team all-CIF Southern Section pick as a junior. In her three years, Pezzola is a three-time first-team all-league choice and a three-time second-team all-CIF Southern Section honoree. Additionally, Pezzola was a 2008 Junior Olympics first-team All-American and a 2007 Junior Olympics first-team spare for the U-16 age group.
"Amber Pezzolla is one of the most creative and dynamic all-around players I have seen in all my years of coaching," Crawford said. "She is quick, which allows her to create offensive opportunities from her outstanding defense, strong and smart. Amber has the skill and ability to make an impact for us right away. She is the type of player who is a pleasure to watch and I am excited for the opportunity to coach her."
The second of the CHAWP trio is driver Alex Ford. The Ayala High School senior will come to San Diego State having helped the Bulldogs to three straight CIF championship game appearances and the 2006 title in her first three prep seasons. Individually, Ford was a 2008 Junior Olympics first-team All-American and an all-CIF Division III first-team selection as a junior. She will join her cousin, Leanne Ford, who is a freshman defender on this season's SDSU team, next year.
"Alex is a smart player who is a proven finisher on the offensive end, but who also has strong defensive skills," Crawford said. "I expect her to break into the lineup right away."
Courtney Muller was also a key member of the CHAWP team's championship summer, and brings speed and experience to the Aztecs' signing class. At Riverside Poly, Muller was an all-CIF honoree as a freshman and last year as a junior and is a three-time all-Ivy League selection. Muller is also a two-time Junior Olympics All-American.
"Courtney is a fast attacker who also has an impressive resume, including a CIF championship with Riverside Poly in 2008," Crawford said. "She is well-coached and has the speed and work ethic to succeed at San Diego State. Courtney's father is an SDSU alum, and we are excited that Courtney is eager to follow in his footsteps and yet make her own mark on our Aztec water polo program."
"All three of these athletes have garnered extensive high-level competitive experience with the CHAWP club that will enable them to make an immediate impact at the collegiate level," Crawford added.
Emily Whalen joins the aforementioned trio having played on Sacramento Loretto High School's varsity team for three seasons. Whalen is the Loretto's starting center and plays the utility position for American River WPC.
"Emily Whalen is a left-handed utility player who will bring a balanced attack to the Aztecs on the right side of the pool," Crawford said. "Emily is tall and lanky with great speed and defensive fundamentals.
"Whalen also comes from a top Northern California club program, American River Water Polo Club, which is co-coached by Aztec Hall-of-famer Rachel (Scott) Ruano."
Samantha Voigt, a defender, will arrive on Montezuma Mesa from Buchanan High School in Clovis, Calif., where she has helped Buchanan to back-to-back Valley championships in 2006 and 2007. During the 2007 campaign, she earned a spot on the Central Valley Zone squad.
"Sam Voigt comes from one of the best water polo programs in the Central Valley, and will continue our tradition of recruiting from the Fresno area, which produces outstanding athletes who understand what hard work is all about," Crawford said.
"Sam will improve our depth at the defender position," Crawford added. "She is tough and tenacious, whose strength and speed will help us defend the center effectively. Sam's high school and club coach, Mark Greenwood, speaks very highly of Samantha as one of the best all-around athletes he has ever coached."
Kim Lewis signs with the Aztecs out of San Juan Capistrano, Calif., where she currently attends Capistrano Valley High School. In 2007, Lewis was the co-MVP of the South Coast League and was Orange County's No. 1 scorer with 139 goals. Additionally, Lewis was a member of the 2007 SoPac zone team and plays for SET water polo club, coached by Brad Schumacher, which produces some of the top talent in the nation.
"Kim is an excellent shooter and a great all-around player," Crawford said. "She has a strong offensive mindset and I expect she will continue to be a prolific scorer for the Aztecs during her collegiate career."
Rachel Miller, a driver and local product, has helped Carlsbad High School to two consecutive CIF championship game appearances under head coach Kristin Stanford. A three-time all-Avocado League pick and two-time all-CIF selection, Miller was a member of the Pacific Southwest Zone traveling team last season and was a Junior Olympics honorable mention choice in 2008.
"We are very excited to have Rachel Miller join our signing class for 2010," Crawford said. "She is one of the top players in San Diego County, and is a phenomenal athlete in terms of anticipation, speed and overall game awareness. Rachel Miller is one of those special athletes, who brings fluidity and creativity to the game that is exciting to watch."