MWP Won the Title with Discipline, Coaching and Execution

By Brandon Petersen

It's been a few days since Westcliff men's water polo won the NAIA national championship at OUAZ, and since then, head coach Preslav Djippov has been able to take stock of the season that was — and look back at the final specifically — and he came up with three major reasons why the Warriors were so successful: Discipline, Coaching and Execution. 

Heading into the championship match, Djippov and graduate assistant, Ivan Mercep, working with game strategy provided in part by assistant coach Raney Remme, who unfortunately couldn't make the trip to Arizona, implemented a plan that would require the Warriors to execute at a very high level and with great discipline.

"First of all, our players really executed the plan perfectly," Djippov said. "We had our strategies and our blinds — things you prepare for in the office — our defensive game plan. 

"The boys ran everything really successfully, and that's the main reason we won this championship."

Djippov and his staff broke down Ottawa by the numbers, and what they found were exceptional executors, strong centers and good shooters from the outside. Defending them well would hold the key to victory.

"We were able to neutralize those big guys," Djippov said. "We played really disciplined water polo, with very high energy and that's what helped us win, big time."

Not only did the players execute the game plan, but the coaching staff was exceptional in preparing it. 

"Ivan Mercep, he played a really important role this season,"Djippov said. "And, of course, Raney Remme, even though she couldn't come with us, she played a huge role in the preparation, setting up strategies and blinds. She was a very big part of our success as well."

And then there is athletic trainer Panos Stavrou, who also played a critical role in the team's success this season.

"Our guys really loved him," Djippov said. "He played a crucial role in preparation — keeping the boys in shape and in very good condition, so a huge 'thank you' to him as well."

Now that the season is over, Djippov will turn his focus to the women, who will play their inaugural season in the spring. 

But that doesn't mean the men's game will take a backseat either. 

"The goal for the men's team next year is to continue developing a strong program with very positive culture, following the 5Cs all the time," Djippov said. "We changed a lot in terms of team culture and mentality this season. Next year, it will be even better as I'm targeting a few exceptional athletes that will fill in the little gaps where we need to improve."

Djippov hopes to bring in seven or eight players in the offseason, with the expressed goal of competing right alongside every top NCAA DI and DIII school in the country.

"My personal goal is to bring Westcliff into a conference, and the WWPA is our desired destination," Djippov said. "I believe we have the potential to win it and receive a bid to the NCAA Finals next fall, facing the top four programs in the country — USC, UCLA, Cal and Stanford.

"It might sound crazy, but I have big dreams — and expectations of my athletes. We've accomplished our mission for 2022. The next chapter has to be the NCAA and a conference."

Djippov says Westcliff has a number of advantages for the prospective water polo players, not least of which is the location — Irvine, CA — where the pools are plenty and sun never stops shining. 

But it won't get easier for the Warriors from here. 

Now that they are champions, the title comes with carrying a target on their backs in 2023 and beyond.

"The target is on our back, absolutely right," Djippov said. "But I am the kind of guy that accepts all challenges."

After running the gauntlet and finishing 20-15, the challenge was met head on in 2022. 

No doubt future challenges will be met with the same type of gusto.