UH's new water polo coach goes by the book — his own

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

New University of Hawai'i water polo coach Michel Roy has introduced new tactical techniques to the Rainbow Wahine in hopes of developing the program into one of the elite in the NCAA. Photos by Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

Kristy Bagnell of the University of Hawai'i was defended by UC San Diego's Danielle Boyle on Friday. The Rainbow Wahine won, 6-4.

Michel Roy became the program's third coach Aug. 2. The moment he hit American soil — four months later — his "Canadian Tactical Book" was required reading for the Rainbow Wahine.

"It's a big technical change," junior Chelsea Garner-Prohs says. "He knows a lot of tactics. He explains it to us and makes sure we know what we're doing, especially during games. He knows a lot of techniques I've never experienced."

Practices are like labs, games are exams, watching video is now a prime-time undertaking. Roy, who has coached Canadian national teams the past 25 years, is a relentless lecturer. On deck, with one leg on a chair and head in hand, he constantly barks instruction and encouragement at his players and questions officials.

He "loves" it here. "As a water polo coach," Roy says, "it doesn't get any better than this."

His players are learning to love it. Mostly they are just learning.

"Everyone is getting used to the new techniques," said Karin Van Hoff, the sole senior. "You have to learn to shoot in a way you've never done before. The first few weeks, balls were flying everywhere. After awhile, you get used to it."

Roy inherited honorable mention All-Americas Van Hoff and Garner-Prohs along with 17 underclassmen. A trio of first-year players start. Amber Lumb is in goal while Kristy Bagnell and Shannon Carroll trail only Van Hoff in scoring.

Hawai'i is ranked eighth despite a losing record, with nearly 75 percent of its defeats coming against top-five teams. That is where the Rainbow Wahine want to be. Roy can tell you how soon.

He describes this year as a time to introduce himself to the Rainbow Wahine and collegiate water polo, and introduce his "tactics" to his team. Next year, he wants to begin to bring in "world-class athletes," ideally from all over the globe and "always" from Hawai'i.

Then ...

"Kristy Bagnell, the 6-3 1/2 Australian, if she's here for four years ... she is a diamond," Roy says. "She's progressing, starting to step up. I hope in her era here we'll be in the top three."

This program made a huge splash in its inaugural 1998 season. It reached the final four thanks in large part to Canadians Marie-Luc Arpin, Karin Umemura and Lila Fraser, who had played for Roy.

UH went 83-56 the next four years, but never again flirted with the top four. Roy's little book is designed to bring them back.

"I hope the intensity level and confidence level increase," Roy says. "That's where we're lacking. I'd like to win the NCAA this year, but that is unthinkable. But, I believe that eventually anything can happen."

His "system" is heavy on creating options designed to prevent Hawai'i from being one-dimensional. In a 12-5 loss to top-ranked UCLA, Roy had UH play nine defenses. One of his most compelling concerns now is putting his young players on introductory overload. He has to hold himself back from giving them too much information.

His players insist they are not overwhelmed. They are starting to see the fruits of their labor, and acting without thinking.

"We've been working on it so much," Garner-Prohs says. "Like, three hours, everyday, non-stop, going back and forth."

Rainbow Wahine undefeated: The University of Hawai'i women's water polo team defeated Cal Baptist, 8-1, New Zealand, 6-4, and Long Beach State, 10-6, yesterday in the Rainbow Challenge Invitational at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex to lead the eight-team field with a 5-0 record.

In Hawai'i's first match, the Rainbows scored just one goal in the first half before adding four more in the third period against Cal Baptist. Kristy Bagnell and Tracy Anderson each had two goals for UH.

Six different Rainbow Wahine scored in the victory over New Zealand. Goalkeeper Josie Giffney had a tournament-record 17 saves for New Zealand.

Karin Van Hoff and Chelsea Garner-Prohs each had two goals as UH handed Long Beach State its first loss of the tournament. Goalie Amber Lumb had nine saves for UH.

The Rainbow Challenge Invitational concludes today with games starting at 8 a.m. at Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.

The Australian Junior women's team has a 3-0-1 record, setting up a showdown with Hawai'i at 1:50 p.m. in the tournament's final match. Hawai'i also plays New Zealand (1-3) at 10:20 a.m. and Cal Baptist (1-5) at 11:30 a.m.

The Rainbow Wahine's final home match is Saturday.

UH is 8-11 overall and 2-5 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.