TEMPE – Incoming freshman Blaire McDowell and current Sun Devil Bente Rogge are enjoying success while competing on a national and international stage this summer.
The sophomore defender Rogge represented the Netherlands at the 2018 FINA Women's Water Polo World League Super Final taking place May 29th-June 2nd. McDowell was a member of a Saskatchewan team that participated in the 2018 Canadian U19 National Championship wrapping up on May 29th.
Coming off a summer in which she was a member of the bronze medal-winning Netherlands U20 Women's National Team, Rogge once again was selected to represent the Dutch in international competition. Advancing to the Super Final as part of the 2018 FINA Women's Water Polo World League, Rogge and the Netherlands earned the countries first ever silver medal. Facing the 12-time gold medal winning United States squad, who won five consecutive gold medals, the Netherlands narrowly fell to the Americans in a tightly contested 8-6 defeat. The 2018 Super Finals are played at the conclusion of the FINA Women's Water Polo World League season. Rogge played in all six matches for Netherlands at the tournament, finishing with a pair of goals while producing on the defensive end, starring on a unit that allowed 6.3 goals/game.
The Netherlands was one of two countries to go unbeaten (3-0) in the group phase, earning victories over Australia, Spain, and China en route to a first-place finish in Group A. In the quarterfinal round, Netherlands took out Japan by a score of 18-7, tied for the second largest margin of victory in the tournament. Rogge was a key piece for the Dutch, scoring a pair of goals as the Netherlands comfortably advanced to the semifinal round. Continuing the momentum built from a dominant quarterfinal victory, Rogge and company would take on Canada with a spot in the Super Final Championship on the line. Right from the start, the Dutch side controlled the pace against Team Canada, cruising to an 11-5 victory to advance to the Water Polo World League Championship.
A showdown with the United States would loom, as the Netherlands would participate in their first ever Super Final Championship match. The Dutch side jumped in front of the heavily favored Americans in the first period, leading after the first eight minutes. A closely contested match would ensue, with the Netherlands scoring a pair of fourth period goals to even the match at 6. The United States would eventually prove too powerful, scoring a pair of goals in the final 2:27 to capture the 8-6 victory and the Gold Medal.
After a weekend in which she was the most dangerous offensive threat in the pool, McDowell was recognized as the U19 National Championship MVP. The future Sun Devil saved her best performance for last, recording four goals in Saskatchewan's victory over the Pacific Storm in the championship. In an anticipated semifinal match which represented a rematch of the last two National Championships, Saskatchewan knocked off three-time defending National Champion Club Aquatique de Montreal (CAMO). A back-and-forth affair would develop between the two evenly match squads, with a late assist from McDowell on a well-executed give-and-go would prove to be the difference, as Saskatchewan would hold on for a 10-9 triumph.
A part of the Sun Devils three-member incoming signing class, McDowell added Tournament MVP honors to her already impressive resume. She was the youngest athlete to be named to Water Polo Canada's roster for the 2017 FINA World Women's Junior Water Polo Championships, where she was a teammate of current Sun Devil P.J. Allin. Additionally, McDowell was previously selected to the Water Polo Canada 17U Women's National Team that won the bronze medal at the 2017 17U Pan American Championships in Peru along with fellow class of 2018 signee Viktoria Orlova.
The National Championship victory was not the first time McDowell had enjoyed success with her club, Water Polo Saskatchewan. Last year, she earned Most Valuable Defensive Player honors helping lead Water Polo Saskatchewan to its first Canadian Senior women's water polo title in Toronto in April 2017. In May of 2016, Team Saskatchewan captured the silver medal at the 16U Water Polo National League Championship finals in Calgary and McDowell was tabbed as the tournament MVP. During the 2017 tournament, McDowell moved to the 19U squad and sustained her team success. Saskatchewan earned a berth in the National League Championships by winning the 19U Western Conference Championship with McDowell selected to the tournament's All-Star team.
McDowell attended Park City High School in Utah before moving on to Martin Collegiate in Regina, Saskatchewan. While at Park City, McDowell started a girl's water polo team at the school with her sister. Park City went on to win the 3A state championship with Blaire and her sister receiving co-MVP honors. A multi-sport star at Park City, McDowell was the 3A Utah State Champion in the 100M Breast, winning the race with a record time. She was also a member of the state champion 200 Freestyle relay. While at Martin Collegiate, McDowell served as the team captain of the school's soccer team.
Back in November, Coach Clapper shared his excitement about the addition of McDowell:
"Blaire is a great teammate and a very versatile player. She has great defensive awareness and excellent speed. On the offensive end, she can score off the drive, the post up, and with a perimeter shot."
With the losses of seniors Alkistis Benekou, Lena Mihailovic, and Kayla Casas, Bente Rogge will be one of the main pieces of the offensive attack for the Sun Devils. After enjoying a successful prep and club career in Canada, Blaire McDowell continues to display promising potential and will look to contribute immediately to the Sun Devils lineup.
The sophomore defender Rogge represented the Netherlands at the 2018 FINA Women's Water Polo World League Super Final taking place May 29th-June 2nd. McDowell was a member of a Saskatchewan team that participated in the 2018 Canadian U19 National Championship wrapping up on May 29th.
Coming off a summer in which she was a member of the bronze medal-winning Netherlands U20 Women's National Team, Rogge once again was selected to represent the Dutch in international competition. Advancing to the Super Final as part of the 2018 FINA Women's Water Polo World League, Rogge and the Netherlands earned the countries first ever silver medal. Facing the 12-time gold medal winning United States squad, who won five consecutive gold medals, the Netherlands narrowly fell to the Americans in a tightly contested 8-6 defeat. The 2018 Super Finals are played at the conclusion of the FINA Women's Water Polo World League season. Rogge played in all six matches for Netherlands at the tournament, finishing with a pair of goals while producing on the defensive end, starring on a unit that allowed 6.3 goals/game.
The Netherlands was one of two countries to go unbeaten (3-0) in the group phase, earning victories over Australia, Spain, and China en route to a first-place finish in Group A. In the quarterfinal round, Netherlands took out Japan by a score of 18-7, tied for the second largest margin of victory in the tournament. Rogge was a key piece for the Dutch, scoring a pair of goals as the Netherlands comfortably advanced to the semifinal round. Continuing the momentum built from a dominant quarterfinal victory, Rogge and company would take on Canada with a spot in the Super Final Championship on the line. Right from the start, the Dutch side controlled the pace against Team Canada, cruising to an 11-5 victory to advance to the Water Polo World League Championship.
A showdown with the United States would loom, as the Netherlands would participate in their first ever Super Final Championship match. The Dutch side jumped in front of the heavily favored Americans in the first period, leading after the first eight minutes. A closely contested match would ensue, with the Netherlands scoring a pair of fourth period goals to even the match at 6. The United States would eventually prove too powerful, scoring a pair of goals in the final 2:27 to capture the 8-6 victory and the Gold Medal.
After a weekend in which she was the most dangerous offensive threat in the pool, McDowell was recognized as the U19 National Championship MVP. The future Sun Devil saved her best performance for last, recording four goals in Saskatchewan's victory over the Pacific Storm in the championship. In an anticipated semifinal match which represented a rematch of the last two National Championships, Saskatchewan knocked off three-time defending National Champion Club Aquatique de Montreal (CAMO). A back-and-forth affair would develop between the two evenly match squads, with a late assist from McDowell on a well-executed give-and-go would prove to be the difference, as Saskatchewan would hold on for a 10-9 triumph.
A part of the Sun Devils three-member incoming signing class, McDowell added Tournament MVP honors to her already impressive resume. She was the youngest athlete to be named to Water Polo Canada's roster for the 2017 FINA World Women's Junior Water Polo Championships, where she was a teammate of current Sun Devil P.J. Allin. Additionally, McDowell was previously selected to the Water Polo Canada 17U Women's National Team that won the bronze medal at the 2017 17U Pan American Championships in Peru along with fellow class of 2018 signee Viktoria Orlova.
The National Championship victory was not the first time McDowell had enjoyed success with her club, Water Polo Saskatchewan. Last year, she earned Most Valuable Defensive Player honors helping lead Water Polo Saskatchewan to its first Canadian Senior women's water polo title in Toronto in April 2017. In May of 2016, Team Saskatchewan captured the silver medal at the 16U Water Polo National League Championship finals in Calgary and McDowell was tabbed as the tournament MVP. During the 2017 tournament, McDowell moved to the 19U squad and sustained her team success. Saskatchewan earned a berth in the National League Championships by winning the 19U Western Conference Championship with McDowell selected to the tournament's All-Star team.
McDowell attended Park City High School in Utah before moving on to Martin Collegiate in Regina, Saskatchewan. While at Park City, McDowell started a girl's water polo team at the school with her sister. Park City went on to win the 3A state championship with Blaire and her sister receiving co-MVP honors. A multi-sport star at Park City, McDowell was the 3A Utah State Champion in the 100M Breast, winning the race with a record time. She was also a member of the state champion 200 Freestyle relay. While at Martin Collegiate, McDowell served as the team captain of the school's soccer team.
Back in November, Coach Clapper shared his excitement about the addition of McDowell:
"Blaire is a great teammate and a very versatile player. She has great defensive awareness and excellent speed. On the offensive end, she can score off the drive, the post up, and with a perimeter shot."
With the losses of seniors Alkistis Benekou, Lena Mihailovic, and Kayla Casas, Bente Rogge will be one of the main pieces of the offensive attack for the Sun Devils. After enjoying a successful prep and club career in Canada, Blaire McDowell continues to display promising potential and will look to contribute immediately to the Sun Devils lineup.