Seniors Carlson, Lewis provide defense, as well as leadership

Amy Carlson and Danielle Lewis have spent the past two seasons protecting the net for the University of Hawaii water polo team.

The Rainbow Wahine seniors will have two more opportunities to defend their home pool.

Lewis had contributed to UH’s defensive efforts for two seasons when Carlson, then a junior-college goalie, visited the Manoa campus while considering her Division I options. It wasn’t long before they bonded over their shared affinity for denying shots.

"People who care about defense are usually my good friends," Carlson said.

The Rainbow Wahine seniors will play their final home matches this weekend as ninth-ranked UH (15-9, 2-2 Big West) closes the regular season at Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.

Carlson and Lewis will be honored in senior night festivities following Saturday’s 6 p.m. Big West finale against UC Davis (11-15, 0-4). The Wahine then cap the regular-season schedule against Cal State Monterey Bay in a nonconference match at noon on Sunday.

The Wahine will have some time off before heading to Long Beach, Calif., in two weeks to defend their Big West tournament crown a year after Carlson and Lewis were instrumental in UH’s run to the title and NCAA tournament.

"They’re essentially the core of our defense," UH coach Maureen Cole said.

Both followed older siblings into the sport and were drawn to Manoa by former UH players.

Lewis joined the program as a freshman in 2011, following Anna Sieprath and Lisa van Raalte to UH from New Zealand.

"They pretty much got me in contact with Mo (Cole) and said it was an awesome place to play water polo and study," said Lewis, who is on track to graduate next spring with a degree in communications.

Carlson had a connection to UH through a former roommate’s sister and was sold when she made her visit coming out of Golden West (Calif.) College.

"I’d never been to Hawaii before and it’s just such a beautiful location and the reputation of the program was incredible," Carlson said. "I came for my recruiting trip and I loved it."

Carlson’s emphasis on defense started early when she took up the sport at age 9.

"I started as a field player, but I was permanent defense because I wasn’t a very good swimmer," she said with a laugh.

Her stroke improved with time and she found a niche as a goalie at 13. Upon joining the Wahine as a junior, she led the team with 186 saves in 30 matches. She ranks second in the conference with 8.29 saves per match this season and the sociology major will earn her degree in May.

"Amy came in as a JC transfer and she’s night and day, 100 percent better of a goalie than she was a year ago," Cole said. "Even though this is only her second year, she’s just a great leader and just improved a ton."

Although defense remains among her chief priorities, Lewis has increased her scoring production and enters the weekend second on the team and sixth in the conference with 40 goals, up from 26 last season.

Lewis’ 6-foot frame provides a lengthy obstacle to shoot around in front of Carlson — also a 6-footer in the goal — and was an integral part of a defensive effort that allowed just 11 goals in three matches at last year’s Big West tournament.

"She’s going to be one of the keys as our starting defender. She guards the biggest, strongest girl that plays like a center in basketball right in front of the net and that’s a big job," Cole said. "She’s tall, but she’s not that big, but she’s got a lot of fight in her."

Lewis and Carlson have provided leadership on a roster of 19 that includes 12 freshmen and sophomores. The Wahine have ridden out several crests and troughs this spring — including last week’s overtime loss at Cal State Northridge followed a day later by a win at UC Santa Barbara.

"These games are crucial for us to play well as a team because they are the last games before the Big West and it’ll all come together," Lewis said. "We have so much more to bring to the game."