Women’s Olympic water polo roster named

U.S. National Water Polo Coach Adam Krikorian named his 13-woman roster for this summer’s London Games on Thursday, and not surprisingly he selected a group heavy on Olympic experience.

Attackers Brenda Villa and Heather Petri will be taking part in their fourth Olympics in London while five others will be playing in the Summer Games for the second time.

The U.S. is the only country to have medaled in all three previous women’s Olympic tournaments, winning two silvers and a bronze.

“We have focused on becoming a team in and out of the water, which will help us at the tournament in London,” said Villa, the team captain and one of 12 players on the team who played college water polo in California. “We have a great mix of older and young players. That will help us as well.”

The roster:

Goalkeepers: Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, Mich.); Tumua Anae (Newport Beach, Calif.)

Attackers: Heather Petri (Orinda, Calif.); Brenda Villa (Commerce, Calif.); Courtney Mathewson (Anaheim Hills, Calif.); Kelly Rulon (San Diego)

Defenders: Melissa Seidemann (Walnut Creek, Calif.); Maggie Steffens (Danville, Calif.); Jessica Steffens (Danville, Calif.); Elsie Windes (Portland)

All-Around: Lauren Wenger (Long Beach, Calif.)

Centers: Annika Dries, (Laguna Beach, Calif.); Kami Craig (Santa Barbara)
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