Water polo's Harris named MPSF Newcomer of the Week
<p><a href="http://statepress.com/archive/node/10918">South African player making new home in Tempe (State Press/February 16, 2010)</a></p><separator></separator><p><a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-wpolo/mtt/harris_sarah00.html">Sa… Harris</a>, a junior attacker on the women's water polo team, has been named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Mikasa Newcomer of the Week, the league announced this week. Harris netted five goals in a narrow 14-11 loss to No. 3 California April 3 in Tempe and has 32 goals on the season, which ranks third on the team and 19th in the conference.</p><separator></separator><p>ASU gave up three goals to the Golden Bears in the first four minutes of the match and Cal added three more scores to end the opening quarter with a 6-1 advantage. Led by a pair of goals from Harris, the Sun Devils outscored Cal 5-3 in the second frame to begin their comeback.</p><separator></separator><p>The Cape Town, South Africa native found the back of the net twice in the third quarter, completing ASU's rally and tying the match at 10 goals apiece. After the Sun Devils fell behind 11-10 in the final minute of the third, Harris scored her fifth goal of the game in the fourth frame to once again draw ASU even. However, the Sun Devils allowed three late goals and lost the tightly contested battle, 14-11.</p><separator></separator><p>A transfer from the University of the Pacific, Harris has a team-high 27 steals this season, is tied for third on the squad in points with 39 and her 12 assists rank fourth on the team. After five MPSF matches this season, Harris is the team leader in goals (seven), points (nine) and steals (six) in conference play. A consistent starter, she is tied for third on the team with eight multiple goal games this season, including a pair of hat tricks.</p><separator></separator><p>The honor for Harris is the first of her career. This is the second consecutive week a Sun Devil has been awarded MPSF Mikasa Newcomer of the Week after freshman center <a href="http://thesundevils.cstv.com/sports/w-wpolo/mtt/haas_shannon00.html">Sh… Haas</a> took the accolade following the ASU Invitational.</p><separator></separator><p>The Sun Devils continue MPSF play with a match against top-ranked USC April 10 at noon (PST) at Mona Plummer Aquatic Center in Tempe.</p><separator></separator><!-- STORY AD BEGINS HERE --></p>