Senior key at all ends of pool

Heading into the Divisional Championships next weekend, the women's water polo team will depend on one of its most consistent performers to guide it to victory. \nSenior utility player Ginger Wang has been a force in the pool all year long for the Hoosiers on both the offensive and defensive side.\nOn defense, Wang leads IU with a team-high 46 steals and 25 knock outs. The second-closest player in steals, freshman Courtney Livak, is nine behind Wang, while junior Kristy Streefkerk is 10 back in knock outs. \n"Ginger has grown into our stopper position. She now guards the other team's best all-around player," coach Barry King said. "She has great physical attributes to be a great defensive player."\nAlong with her physical attributes, senior Sarah Butler said Wang also has a dedicated work ethic. \n"She brings a positive attitude to the team and works hard in practice," Butler said. "She helps get the team motivated before big games and provides positive feedback."\nWang, however, is not a one-sided player. She has also been a force on offense all season.\nOn the year, Wang is fourth on the team in goals with 16. She is also second on the team in assists with 17. \nDuring her sophomore and junior seasons, Wang finished fifth on the team in scoring with 21 and 31 goals, respectively. \n"She is also really starting to find her way offensively," King said. "She has become a much more effective scorer and another threat for us on offense."\nThe Downey, Calif., native was a four-year varsity letter winner in water polo, volleyball and swimming during her high school career. In high school, she was named Most Valuable Player her junior year and captain her senior year. Wang said her California background has helped her at IU.\n"Being in California, you are always around good water polo," Wang said. "It was great experience to play there."\nKing said he believes the competition Wang experienced in California was a key factor in her success at IU. \n"Her previous experience was very important," King said. "She established some good habits and was exposed to pretty good players."\nThroughout her career for the Hoosiers, Wang has continually improved and figures to be a key contributor as the team enters the postseason.\n"Overall, I feel I have improved the most in being a team player," Wang said. "I have adapted to the team dynamics while here at IU"