Seniors end season, careers

As the Hoosier women's water polo program wrapped up yet another successful season and look forward to next, the senior duo of Melissa Pietras and Kristy Streefkerk finished a chapter in their illustrious playing careers at IU.\nHaving played for IU coach Barry King for the past four years, both Pietras and Streefkerk have grown as athletes as well as individuals. The two-some has had a helping hand in the improvement and growth of the program over the years, pushing IU water polo into the top tier of teams in the nation.\nKing has been proud to coach the duo and will miss their presence in the pool. \n"They both accepted their roles as leaders in and out of the pool well," King said. "They were solid leaders in the pool as captains and made for great friends and mentors outside the pool."\nPietras and Streefkerk led the Hoosiers to a 20-9 record this season and a third place finish in the CWPA Conference tournament. Over their career the two have helped the cream and crimson compile an 85-46 overall record, in addition to a 2003 CWPA Conference Championship and a NCAA Final Four appearance.\nPietras, a Hudsonville, Mich., native, was an all-around player for the Hoosiers with impressive career stats. She totaled 97 goals, 74 assists and 105 steals during her tenure at IU. Pietras' strong play created yet another threat the opposition was forced to consider on an already dangerous squad this season.\nPietras' success isn't limited to the pool. Her academics have been first and foremost on her priority list as she has earned All-Academic CWPA, All-Academic Big-Ten and Academic All-America honors for her hard work in the classroom. Pietras will be graduating with an exercise science degree. \nStreefkerk, a Canadian native, was the catalyst for IU's solid defensive crew. Over the duration of her playing career at IU, Streefkerk has become on of the top defenders in the conference and has helped bolster the Hoosiers to a top 10 ranking in the nation. Besides playing at the 2-meter defender position, Streefkerk has seen action in goal as well.\nStreefkerk has accumulated 58 goals, 47 assists and 89 steals over her four-year career at IU. Her season bests include a pair of four goal matches against Gannon and Grove City in 2002 as well as five steals in a 2002 match versus Washington & Jefferson. \nDespite being disappointed for not moving further in the CWPA tournament this season, Pietras feels her senior season has been a special one. \n"This year has been great," Pietras said. "It's been a great experience and I'm proud to say that I'm a Hoosier."\nHer senior teammate agrees.\n"It was my favorite season," Streefkerk said. "Our team chemistry was great and the atmosphere was fun. I couldn't ask of anymore."\n-- Contact staff writer Matt Ostrega at mostrega@indiana.edu.