THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Gina Merry had no intention of ever playing water polo. She thought the sport was too violent.
But once a friend on the Calabasas High swim team convinced Merry to try out, she fell in love with the sport.
Merry started out as a field player until the team's goalie quit and the Calabasas coaches thought Merry would be the best replacement option.
"I was not even going to be a goalie, but they put me in there and I really started liking it," Merry said. "I started focusing on it during club and high school practices and decided I wanted to play in college. It's really crazy how things worked out."
Cal Lutheran has been a beneficiary.
Merry has started her sophomore season in impressive fashion.
She has recorded double-digits saves in eight of CLU's first 12 games and made nine saves in two others.
Last week, Merry set the program's single-game record for saves with 17 in a victory over Virginia Military Institute.
"I honestly didn't even realize it until after the game. I didn't know what the record even was until my coach made an announcement," Merry said. "I was shocked. I was just doing my job."
Standing only 5 feet, 5 inches, Merry is far from the prototypical height of a goalie.
"I am pretty sure I am the shortest one in the whole league. But that just means I have to work harder to get the corner of that goal and do work to get my legs stronger," Merry said. "It was intimidating at first in college because all the goalies were at least 6 feet tall. But I don't really care anymore. I wish I was taller, but it's OK."
Merry was the backup goalie for the Regals last season, appearing in 13 games and making three starts.
Getting more playing time and experience as the full-time starter this season has helped Merry improve on every level.
"Confidence is probably the biggest thing," she said. "I was never too confident in myself. I was one of those people who got nervous before games and psyched myself out sometimes. But I am starting to build more mental toughness and just play my best and whatever happens happens."
As usual, CLU (3-9) is playing a challenging nonconference schedule against several Division I teams.
Although it doesn't make their record look good, it usually makes the Regals feel good once SCIAC play begins.
"I definitely think we have a chance to win the SCIAC with all of the Division I games we have been playing," Merry said. "Their talent really helps us raise our skills and I think we will go back to playing Division III schools with more confidence in ourselves to play with each other."
