Nov. 20, 2009

BERKELEY, CALIF. -

The University of California women's water polo program, coached by former USA men's Olympic coach Richard Corso, former UCLA player and coach Matt Flesher and former USA Olympic standout Maureen O'Toole-Purcell, has signed seven high school athletes to national letters of intent, it was announced today (Nov. 20). The Golden Bears' list of signees includes O'Toole-Purcell's daughter Kelly Mendoza, as well as Emily Anderson, Kathryn Klippert, Maxine Sharf, Jennifer Talbott, Emily Turner and Ashley Young.

Kelly Mendoza, considered by many to be the top high school recruit in the nation, is a 5-10 utility player from Monte Vista High School in Danville. Mendoza is a three-time High School All-American and three-time All-North Coast Section honoree, helping her school to a 107-4 record and four-straight North Coast Section titles. She is Monte Vista's all-time leader scorer with 330 career goals, including 115 goals this fall. Mendoza is also a five-time USA Water Polo All-American and a current member of the Junior National Team. She helped Team USA to a gold medal at the 2008 Global Championships in Brisbane, Australia, and was the MVP of the 2007 and 2008 Junior Olympics.

Emily Anderson is a 6-0 goalie from San Ramon High School, where as a senior she notched 187 saves with 40 assists and 21 steals. Anderson's club team highlights including capturing three gold medals at the Junior Olympics and being a member of the 2005 Speedo Cup National Champions. She was an 18 and Under first-team All-American at the 2009 Senior Sports Junior Olympics, and is a two-year member of the Junior Olympic Development Team.

A 5-11 defensive stalwart from Newport Harbor High School, Kathryn Klippert was first-team all-league and second-team All-CIF Southern Section as a junior. Klippert led her team to a CIF Division I title and three Sunset League championships. She was also a two-time All-American in the 50 and 100 free and a three-time CIF swimming finalist.

"Kelly (Mendoza) is an excellent defensive player and her work ethic is phenomenal," said Corso. "Her elite domestic and international experience will immediately make a positive impact our team. Kelly's experience and strength will make her one of the most influential players in college. Emily's (Anderson) skills have rapidly improved over the last 18 months. She is an outstanding young goalkeeper with great instincts for her position. Kathryn (Klippert) is certainly the engine behind her club and high school team. She is passionate about water polo and wants to play for a championship team. She will play a key role in our defense and counter attack."

Maxine Sharf is a 6-0 driver from Miramonte High School in Moraga, where as a senior she scored 105 goals in 25 matches. Sharf, the younger sister of former Cal men's water polo All-American and 2007 NCAA Tournament MVP Michael Sharf, was a two-time first-team all-league selection and a second-team All-North Coast Section pick. She was a member of the National Pacific Zone Team that placed first at the 2008 and 2009 Junior Olympics, and is a USA Water Polo Academic All-American.

Another top recruit for the Bears is 5-8 Jennifer Talbott from St. Francis High School in Mountain View. Talbott, a first-team Central Coast Section, San Jose Mercury News and all-league selection, owned 44 goals and 17 assists as a senior, including drawing 48 ejections (11 five-meter kickouts). She is also a three-time high school swimming All-American, as well as an All-American in water polo.

Emily Turner is 5-6 driver from The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, Calif. Turner represented Great Britain and was her country's top scorer in a 2008 summer tour of Greece, and competed for England at the 2008 European Youth Championships in Gyor, Hungary. Also in 2008, Turner helped her club team to a gold medal at the United States Club Championships.

A two-time, first-team All-CIF selection from Coronado High School, Ashley Young helped propel her school to the 2009 CIF San Diego Section title. The 5-8 driver was also a three-time first-team all-league pick, and a member of the 2009 San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic Water Polo Team.

"Maxine (Sharf) is a quick-thinking player whose technique and abilities allow her to be an excellent goal scorer," said Corso. "Her resourcefulness and tenacious attitude will make her an excellent addition to the Cal program. Jennifer (Talbott) is quick, smart and technically sound as well, and will be an outstanding player at the collegiate level. Emily (Turner) attacks like a power driver with great pace, finishing skills, and is an accurate passer. She was part of one of the most robust defenses in American club water polo. Ashley (Young) has all the ability, technique and drive to become an impact player in college. She was one of the most imaginative and creative attacking players at the high school level. Ashley's improvements over the last two years are a credit to her work ethic and the program at Coronado High School."