Post by GoUCLA on Nov 25, 2018 1:25:30 GMT -5
Bruins are stacked with talent. Can't imagine how competitive their practices must be. I would be surprised if Lily Justine isn't on one of the top 5 teams.
So that leaves, fighting for the "other 3", which to a large degree depends upon who will pair best with Muno, Monkhouse and Sparks.
Last Year's starters:
Justine
May
Simo
Carey
Muret
Last year's sometimes starter:
Yeomans
Newcomers:
Monk Heidrick
7 legit starters for 3 spots. It's gonne be interesting to see how Steino handles the interpersonal dynamics of all that, especially considering none of the commits could have foreseen Monkhouse coming around the corner.
I think my money is on Simo and Justine with the other five vying for 1 spot.
I know most of you are not old enough to remember this, but there was a year in UCLA basketball when the incoming freshman team could beat the National Championsip Varsity team (when freshmen were not allowed to play Varsity) -- pretty sure that was Lew Alcindor's freshman year. This UCLA beach team is a little like that.
I said this in another post, but I'd like to see Stein keep the freshmen together: Van Winkle/Sparks and Monk-Heidrich/Whitmarsh. Those pairs have played together and have been successful. I see it shaping out like this:
#1: twins
#2: Sponcil and partner (Van Winkle or Justine)
#3: Monkhouse and parter
#4: one of the freshman pair?
#5: Muno/Simo
It looks like there won't be room for May. If she does play, she'll likely play off and on at the 5 spot. It's crazy to think that Carey/Muret may not play after having a solid season for us at #5.