With rapping icon Flavor Flav on hand for his first game as the team “hype man,” Maddie Musselman and the United States women’s Olympic water polo squad started their tune-up schedule for this summer’s Olympic Games on the right note.
Musselman scored six goals and Rachel Fattal added three goals and two assists as the Americans dispatched Italy 14-5 before a sellout crowd of some 1,800 Tuesday evening at UC San Diego’s Canyonview Aquatic Center in the opener of a two-game series.
“I’ve got their back,” Flav told the television audience before interacting with fans at
halftime. “I’m proud to be here.”
Flavor Flav, who answered an Instagram appeal from team captain Maggie Steffens for added , has also promised to root for the USA women when they go for an unprecedented fourth consecutive gold medal at the Olympics starting July 27.
“Definitely, it’s been super fun,” said Steffens, a three-time Olympic gold medal winner. “It’s nice to have someone follow through on his word and been so ive. He’s been a total hype man (with) really positive energy and a lot of love.
“He’s opened up some doors and a new crowd. Now it’s up to us to play our game well.”
Musselman scored twice during the second quarter as the USA built a 7-3 halftime lead with a 4-1 edge in period. In the third quarter, the Americans added five unanswered scores, including tree more by Musselman.
“Definitely, the Olympics are feeling very close, but the one thing that the team talks about is one day at a time,” said Steffens, who had a goal and three assists. “We want to get better each and every day. That’s our mantra.”
As one of the USA’s seven Olympic newcomers, Temecula’s Tara Prentice has found harmony after making the squad on her second try, filling a vacancy at the two-meter center spot.
“I’m super excited,” said Prentice, who recorded an assist. “Also, I have a lot of graditude with all the supprot from family and friends. I’m trying to stay in the present and enjoy the time with my teammates. We’re buying into the team and the culture.”
Prentice has long history of listening to soothing music before games, but has also learned to appreciate the rap of Flav and his rap group, Public Enemy.
“Flavor Flav is super hyped up, and I need to get more on his train, ” said Prentice, who often competed in the La Jolla Rough Water Swim as a youth. “I listen to calmer music to get my heart rate resting. But if I need to get hyped up, Flavor Flav will be my first choice.”
The teams next meet Saturday at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut.
Since women’s water polo became an Olympic sport in 2000, the U.S. women have medaled in each of the Games.
The Americans won the world title this year for the eighth time with an 8-7 victory over Hungary in Doha, Qatar in early February.
