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Senior utility player Thalia Munro came up clutch for the UCLA water polo team at the end of the

DAVIS — A nostalgic Thalia Munro with a towel wrapped around her head reflected on her career just one day before leaving to UC Davis for her final NCAA Tournament. She remembered her first national title, one in which she served as a role player. She recalled last season, when the weight of fulfilling the lofty goal as the best water polo team ever assembled was bestowed on UCLA. And now this. As one of the most celebrated women’s water polo players in the world, Munro, who amassed 128 goals in her four-year career as a utility player and was a member of three championship teams – 2003, 2005 and 2006 – finished out her career on top. “It’s pretty unbelievable,” Munro said. “This is the probably the sweetest, but they’re all pretty sweet.” For once, Munro, who just one season ago had difficulty fitting in after missing two straight seasons training with the U.S. National Team, felt comfortable. Being on this team was something she would never trade. “I think for me this year it’s been different because I’ve had the biggest role. For me it’s more personal,” she said.” As the voice of the women’s water polo team, Munro was put in the precarious position of answering constant questions about whether this team has underachieved. “It really doesn’t matter what anyone says,” Munro said. “We know what we’re capable of. We were waiting for our time.”

TROJAN GREAT: USC senior Moriah Van Norman, considered one of the best two-meter players in the world, will have to end her collegiate career on a sour note. After having racked up 215 goals, third all-time in Trojan history, Van Norman saw her Trojans fall to the Bruins on a last-second shot. It stings. “I hate losing in general. I can’t tell you what’s worse, but this is something I won’t ever forget,” Van Norman said. The face of the game may have changed when Van Norman picked up her third ejection and was relegated to the bench for the remainder of the game. The double-ejection that saw Van Norman and Munro sidelined occurred with 5:15 remaining. “I was disappointed in myself. I was frustrated,” said Van Norman, who will continue her career in water polo as a U.S. National Team member. “I didn’t necessarily understand the call. You can’t control the refs. In a championship game you have to expect everything.”

CLOSING CALL: USC coach Jovan Vavic blamed the referee. Hawai’i coach Michel Roy pointed out that it’s not right to call an ejection that ultimately decided the game. The fuss that concluded the national championship game came on a call by referee Aaron Chaney, who was a referee during the 2004 Olympics. Bret Bernard, the NCAA national coordinator of water polo officials, who was on-site, said he fully agreed with the call. “The call was consistent with the rest of the game, and it was the right call,” he said. NEW FACILITY ON SHOW: The Schaal Aquatics Center was on display this weekend, and there were mixed reviews. Roy said the facility is one of his favorites. However, Van Norman pointed out the smell that neighboring grazing areas were emitting, and the most apparent flaw of the facility was pointed out by Hawai’i junior goalie Meike de Nooy. “The only thing that is annoying is the sun. It was on the (right) side,” de Nooy said. “I wish they can put something up over there.”