Chandler becoming a master at defending two meters

athleteofweek-chandlerCdM’s Ashley Chandler is a two-meter defensive specialist, who helped her team win the Tournament of Champions.If you’re a two-meter specialist in girls’ water polo, Ashley Chandler is not who you want guarding you. The Corona del Mar senior has gone up against the best as the team’s two-meter defender. Lately, she’s coming out of the pool with the upper hand.

Chandler was on her game last weekend, when she helped the Sea Kings capture the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions title. In Corona del Mar’s 5-2 victory over Foothill in the championship game, Chandler held Knights two-meter star Grace Reynolds to one goal. Reynolds has signed to play at Cal next year.

In the semifinals of the tournament against Santa Margarita, Chandler held Darby Anderson, an All-CIF returner also headed to Cal, scoreless. The Sea Kings won, 7-2.

Chandler also held Coronado’s two-meter star scoreless in the quarterfinals.

Corona del Mar Coach Aaron Chaney said Darby and Grace, along with Hewko, are probably the top three two-meter players in Orange County.

“She always guards the opponent’s best two-meter player,” Corona del Mar Coach Aaron Chaney said. “Ashley is strong and has long arms. She’s also our fastest swimmer, our sprinter and a great counterattacker. She has a lot of roles on this team.”

Chandler is also an offensive threat. She netted a couple of goals each against Coronado and Santa Margarita. She can fill in at two meters when needed and scores a lot of goals during six-on-five situations.

But defending two meters is her specialty.

“It takes a lot of mental preparation,” Chandler said. “You have to psych yourself up. Basically, it’s like a wrestling match for 35 seconds or however long they have the ball.”

Despite having success against her, Chandler said Reynolds has been the toughest two-meter player for her to guard.

“She knows how to hold her position really well,” Chandler said. “And she can read defenses really well. It’s more of a mental thing with her. You have to be smart.”

Earlier this season, Chandler got in some great practice in the school’s alumni game defending the likes of two-meter stars Christina Hewko and Jordan Anae, who have both moved on to play in college.

“Hewko is amazing,” Chandler said. “She was a senior when I was a freshman, so I hold a very high opinion of her. After guarding Hewko, anyone else doesn’t seem [as difficult].”

With Chandler anchoring the defense and fellow returners Camille Hewko, Katie Indvik and Cari Levine leading the charge, the Sea Kings look primed to make a run at a fifth consecutive CIF Southern Section championship.

“I hope so,” Chandler said. “I can only see our team continue to move uphill. We have good chemistry and no one complains. This is the happiest the team has ever been. We just have to keep working hard.”

The Ashley Chandler File

Hometown: Newport Beach

Height: 6-foot

Weight: 155

Sport: Water polo

Position: Utility

Coach: Aaron Chaney

Favorite food: Anything Italian

Favorite movie: “My Cousin Vinny”

Favorite athletic moment: “Going through junior national team tryouts. Even though I didn’t make it, it was a great experience for me.”

Week in review: Chandler helped the Sea Kings capture the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions title. In Corona del Mar’s 5-2 victory over Foothill in the championship game, Chandler held Knights two-meter star Grace Reynolds to one goal. In the tournament semifinals against Santa Margarita, Chandler held Darby Anderson, an All-CIF returner, scoreless -- while netting two goals herself.200601200A1N4T57No Caption20060120itdaunncKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)