The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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WATER POLO PROFILE "We did not add anything to what we were doing to try and get Kelsey Nolan more goals. She is the type of player who will get her goals. "Our challenge now is to get other players the opportunities to get their goals, so Kelsey doesn't feel too much pressure. We need her to play like she is capable of playing, and have others raise their game. We're headed that way." Anderson was first tipped off about Nolan's prowess in the pool the sum- mer before her ninth grade year. Her coach, Mike Motzes, who was An- derson's coach in his playing days at San Jose State, let him know that Nolan had the potential to be a star at Leland High School in San Jose, Calif. "When I recruited her five, six years ago, I expected her to be a great player," Anderson said. "I knew early on that she was going to be a really good player, and she has been pro- ductive for us every year." Nolan almost never even gave the sport a chance. A lifelong swimmer and soccer player, she was urged to try water polo by a swimming friend. It took some convincing, but once Nolan finally gave in she fell in love with the sport. And that passion rubbed off on her little sister, Jamie. When their mother, Cathy, saw how much Nolan enjoyed the sport, she signed Jamie up. The two played together at Leland when Nolan was a senior and Jamie was a freshman. That year, Nolan committed to Michigan. "I wanted to get away," Nolan said. "I wanted to experience seasons and try something new. All my friends were staying in California. I wanted to try something else." But that meant the two sisters were half a continent away from each other. When Jamie began receiving re- cruiting interest, Nolan wanted to give her sister the freedom to make her own choice. "I didn't want it to be based on me, but if she had questions, I answered them," Nolan said. "I think she saw how much I enjoyed it here and wanted the same experience." Jamie came on a visit, committing soon thereafter. "I hate to admit it, but she influ- enced me a little," Jamie said with a smile. "I knew I wanted to come out east to play water polo. Having her here to help in that transition of the first year has helped a lot. It has made it a lot easier." Through seven games, Jamie had posted six points, three goals and three assists. "She is very talented," Anderson said. "She's a different player than Kelsey. Jamie played out of position a lot in high school. She is starting to find her niche as a right-handed driver. She has a crushing shot, just like Kelsey. "They can both really put some heat on the ball. And Jamie is learn- ing how to play a more defined role. She is starting to step it up. Like any freshman, now we're going to have to find consistency." — Andy Reid