ASU water polo signs Clopp, Walters

The Arizona State University water polo program has received National Letters of Intent from Rebecca Clopp and Paige Walters, head coach Todd Clapper announced Thursday. Currently seniors in high school, the duo will join the team for the 2010 season.

Clopp, of Huntington Beach, Calif., has spent four years on the varsity team at Marina High School, and she has been Second-Team All-CIF Sunset League three times (2006-2008). She also played with her club team, Long Beach Shore Water Polo, at the 2007 and 2008 Junior Olympics, and she was on the 2007 USWP Southern Pacific B Team for the USA Youth National Team Tryouts. In addition, she was a member of the Youth Board on the Huntington Beach City Council.

"We are thrilled to have Becca joining the Sun Devil family next fall," Clapper said. "She demonstrates excellence in and out of the pool, and we are looking forward to her immediate impact on the program."

Walters, a native of Ann Arbor, Mich., plays for Ann Arbor Pioneer High School. As a junior, she was named First-Team All-State and won her team's offensive player of the year award, and she is a co-team captain this season. She also was a Michigan All-Academic selection in 2007. Walters played in the 2007 and 2008 Junior Olympics with Great Lakes Water Polo club, and she was a member of the 2008 USWP Midwest Zone Junior Team and 2008 USA Junior National Team (Training Squad). In addition, she was a two-time First-Team All-State selection and helped her team win state championships in 2006 and 2007 in synchronized swimming.

"Paige is another strong player coming out of Michigan who has already made an impact there, and she has begun to make her presence known nationally as well," Clapper said. "She made the USA Junior National Team (Training Squad) and hasn't been playing the sport as long as many of her peers. We are very excited to fast track her development here at ASU, so that she can be a big part of our future. She has the athletic ability and personality to become a great player for us and an amazing Sun Devil."