3 seniors to play in final career home matches

As the No. 17 IU water polo team prepares for its final home games of the season, three seniors are ready for their last appearance at the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center. The Hoosiers open the Fluid Five tournament against Wagner on Saturday and will face No. 19 Santa Clara on Sunday.\n“It’s kind of exciting and sad at the same time,” said senior Brooke Zimmerman, who was named the Collegiate Water Polo Association Western Division Player of the Week. “I’m going to miss everyone and water polo, but I am really happy I get to play at home.”\nIt will be hard for IU coach Barry King to see three “stalwarts” compete on their own campus for the last time.\n“These women in particular have been really stabilizing elements of the team in a couple of years that were really volatile,” King said. “When they came in, their seniors were incredibly strong, and these three have been key factors in keeping that same stability around.”\nIU senior Brittany Estrada said her excitement is mainly focused elsewhere.\n“It is really cool when we have a few opportunities to play at home,” she said. “I’m more excited for the championships though ... I always am.”\nSenior goalkeeper Jackie Pyrz said she is looking forward to playing Wagner because her younger sister, Natalie, will have the opportunity to score on her.\n“I get nervous when she has the ball in her hand,” she admitted. “But I absolutely refuse to let her score on me.”\nAlthough the three women express personal enthusiasm and sorrow, their biggest concern remains setting a positive example for their rookie team.\n“We have to show the freshmen the future they will have and the experiences they will share,” Zimmerman said.\nZimmerman also feels that at this point in any season seniors have a responsibility other than playing the game.\n“All of the seniors have to fall into a leadership role at this time,” she said. “People are getting tired so it is our job to keep everyone focused in and out of the water.”\nKing hopes to have the other players on the team gain the confidence needed to get the job done.\nIn regards to the graduating seniors, King said they have done everything he could expect of them.\n“I couldn’t ask for more,” he said, “in the classroom, and in the competition.”