﻿{"id":348050,"date":"2019-01-21T12:00:25","date_gmt":"2019-01-21T19:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=348050"},"modified":"2019-01-21T15:21:33","modified_gmt":"2019-01-21T22:21:33","slug":"2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/","title":{"rendered":"2019 Women\u2019s Water Polo Preview: Western Water Polo Association"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Editor\u2019s Note: The 2019 NCAA women\u2019s water polo season officially opened on Saturday, January 12th with the ASU Invitational at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/thesundevils.com\/news\/2019\/1\/12\/womens-water-polo-sun-devil-water-polo-wins-season-opener.aspx\">Arizona State<\/a>. Action continued last weekend for numerous NCAA varsity programs. Swimming World will provide previews of the seven varsity conferences\u2014Big West, Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA), Golden Coast Conference (GCC), Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) and Western Water Polo Association (WWPA)\u2014that will send teams to the 2019 NCAA Women&#8217;s Water Polo Tournament.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Rankings refer to the CWPA Women\u2019s Varsity Preseason Poll that was released on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/collegiatewaterpolo.org\/collegiate-water-polo-association-releases-2019-womens-varsity-preseason-polls-defending-national-champion-the-university-of-southern-california-to-open-at-no-1\/\">January 16th<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"252916\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/race-for-ncaas-conference-tournaments-will-determine-field-for-2017-womens-water-polo-tournament\/wwpa-logo-apr-17\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/wwpa-logo-apr-17.png\" data-orig-size=\"395,85\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"wwpa-logo-apr-17\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;02\/02\/18&lt;br \/&gt;\nwwpa-logo-apr-17&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/wwpa-logo-apr-17.png\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/wwpa-logo-apr-17.png\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-252916\" src=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/wwpa-logo-apr-17.png\" alt=\"wwpa-logo-apr-17\" width=\"300\" height=\"65\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/wwpa-logo-apr-17.png 395w, https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/wwpa-logo-apr-17-280x60.png 280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Since 2013, the Tritons of UC San Diego have owned the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thewwpa.com\/sport\/0\/2.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Western Water Polo Association<\/a> title and its automatic berth in the NCAA tournament. Based upon the 2019 conference\u2019s coaches\u2019 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ucsdtritons.com\/\/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5800&amp;ATCLID=211786546\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">preseason poll<\/a>, there\u2019s little reason to doubt that <strong>Brad Kreutzkamp\u2019s<\/strong> squad will make a return to the national tournament. This will be the Tritons\u2019 swan song in the conference\u2014UCSD, <a href=\"https:\/\/ucsdnews.ucsd.edu\/pressrelease\/division1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">elevating its athletics department<\/a> to Division I status, will join the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bigwest.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Big West Conference<\/a> next year\u2014meaning a new WWPA hierarchy will be in place a year from now.<\/p>\n<p>Ideally, contenders for the top spot in 2020 will reveal themselves this season. Cal State East Bay and Sonoma State, among others, need to establish that they can challenge UCSD. In two matches in 2018\u2014including the WWPA title match\u2014the Pioneers lost by ten goals each time. The Seawolves fared even worse; one of their two losses was by an 11-1 score, in a conference semifinal no less. The Firebirds lost 18-3 to the Tritons last April; overall, conference foes are a lopsided 1-61 against the WWPA\u2019s most dominant program. That one loss? To Somona State in the 2009 WWPA tournament.<\/p>\n<p>One thing is for sure; none of the Tritons conference rivals will be sad to see them go.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"276307\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2017-mens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/uc-san-diego-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/uc-san-diego.png\" data-orig-size=\"186,187\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"uc-san-diego\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;02\/02\/18&lt;br \/&gt;\nuc-san-diego&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/uc-san-diego.png\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/uc-san-diego.png\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-276307\" src=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/uc-san-diego.png\" alt=\"uc-san-diego\" width=\"200\" height=\"201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/uc-san-diego.png 186w, https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/uc-san-diego-100x100.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In a decade at #15 <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ucsdtritons.com\/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5800&amp;SPID=2549&amp;SPSID=31805&amp;KEY=\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UCSD<\/a>, Kreutzkamp has never lost a regular season match to a WWPA opponent, and his team has captured the last six straight titles. Baring a monumental collapse, the Tritons will end their time in the conference with a seventh-straight title and accompanying trip to the NCAA tournament. Leading the way will be a trifecta of All-WWPA First-Team selections; senior <strong>Chanel Schilling<\/strong> (29 goals; 45 exclusions drawn), senior <strong>Krista Schneider<\/strong> (17 goals; team-high 44 assists) and junior goalkeeper <strong>Reilly Gallagher<\/strong> (7.15 GAA).<\/p>\n<p>Aiding the Triton attack are sophomores <strong>Grace Pevehouse<\/strong> (40 goals), <strong>Taylor Onstott<\/strong> (41 goals; WWPA Newcomer of the Year) and <strong>Ciara Franke<\/strong> (29 goals; team-high 65 steals).\u00a0With six freshman coming on board this season\u2014highlighted by <strong>Lyndsey Hightower<\/strong>, a recent graduate from local Cathedral Catholic High School\u2014UCSD is building for a future in a new, more competitive conference.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Key Matchup: San Diego State, Saturday, April 20,\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"s1\">San Diego (Aztec Aquaplex)<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"294338\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2018-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/ucom_20091365-eb_logo_onwhite\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/EB-Logo-Red.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1125,1125\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;UCom_20091365.EB_Logo_OnWhite&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;1&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"EB Logo Red\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;02\/02\/18&lt;br \/&gt;\nEB Logo Red&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Photo Courtesy:&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/EB-Logo-Red-700x500.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/EB-Logo-Red-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-294338\" src=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/EB-Logo-Red-700x500.jpg\" alt=\"EB Logo Red\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/EB-Logo-Red-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/EB-Logo-Red-533x533.jpg 533w, https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/EB-Logo-Red-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/EB-Logo-Red-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/EB-Logo-Red.jpg 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>There has been a steady uptick of progress for <a href=\"https:\/\/eastbaypioneers.com\/index.aspx?path=wwpolo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cal State East Bay<\/a>\u2014from 13-16 in 2015\u2014good for a finals appearance against UC San Diego\u2014to 18-9 in 2018, also a finals loss to the Tritons. In fact, the Pioneers have been in the WWPA final four of the past five years, a trend they hope will continue this season.<\/p>\n<p>With help from junior <strong>Auriel Bill<\/strong> (team-high in assists\u2014and points with 99; WWPA Women&#8217;s Player of the Year) and sophomores <strong>Adrien Van Dyke<\/strong> (55 goals; tops on the team) and <strong>Maci Taylor<\/strong> (43 points; team-high 28 exclusions drawn), Head Coach <strong>Lisa Cooper<\/strong>, entering her 17th season at CSEB, has a young nucleus to build around. Add in senior <strong>Makenna Nation <\/strong>(16-7 record in 2018; 173 saves) and a couple of freshmen goalies\u2014<strong>Brighton Kinneu<\/strong> and <strong>Daniela Passoni<\/strong>\u2014and the Pioneers are in good hands heading into the new season.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Key Matchup: Somona State, Saturday, March 30, Haywood, CA<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"294319\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2018-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/sonomo\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/sonomo.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"271,186\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"sonomo\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;02\/02\/18&lt;br \/&gt;\nsonomo&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/sonomo.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/sonomo.jpg\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-294319\" src=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/sonomo.jpg\" alt=\"sonomo\" width=\"225\" height=\"154\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Chelsea Hennan<\/strong> enters her third season as head coach at <a href=\"https:\/\/sonomaseawolves.com\/index.aspx?path=wpolo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sonoma State<\/a>, and the goal for 2019 is to leap-frog Cal State East Bay for a spot opposite UCSD in the conference final. The former Seawolf great was able to accomplish this in her first year as head coach\u2014she previously was an assistant to former head coach <strong>Coralie Simmons<\/strong> from 2008 &#8211; 2016\u2014but fell short last season, finishing third.<\/p>\n<p>To get there in 2019, the Seawolves will need to vastly improve their offensive output; they tallied a paltry 173 goals\u2014led by <strong>Taylor Brook\u2019s<\/strong> team-high 36, then 33 from <strong>Cassidy Mundt<\/strong> and 32 from <strong>Taylor Brown<\/strong>. Luckily, all three return this season, as does sophomore <strong>Brooke Sullivan<\/strong>, who started five matches behind now-departed <strong>Lisa Rodarmel<\/strong>, posting an encouraging 7.88 GAA. After losing <strong>Lily Carlon<\/strong> (25 goals, 44 points) to graduation, Hennan will have to see additional offense from her crop of six newcomers, including attackers <strong>Camille Grace<\/strong> and <strong>Samantha Dieterle<\/strong>, if Sonoma State is going to make a push for the WWPA final.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Key Matchup: San Diego State, Sunday, April 7, Rohnert Park, CA<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"276298\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2017-mens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/fresno-pacific-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/fresno-pacific.png\" data-orig-size=\"283,178\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"fresno-pacific\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;02\/02\/18&lt;br \/&gt;\nfresno-pacific&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/fresno-pacific.png\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/fresno-pacific.png\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-276298\" src=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/fresno-pacific.png\" alt=\"fresno-pacific\" width=\"230\" height=\"145\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/fresno-pacific.png 283w, https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/fresno-pacific-280x176.png 280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fpuathletics.com\/index.aspx?path=wwpolo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fresno Pacific<\/a> experienced progress in 2018, as Head Coach <strong>Bryan Suhovy<\/strong> topped 100 career wins over his 11-year tenure with the Firebirds, while his squad overcame a late season swoon to finish with back-to-back wins, capturing fifth at the 2018 WWPA Championships. To continue an upward trajectory, FPU will need continued output from returners junior <strong>Sam Witt<\/strong> (team highs with 48 goals and 44 assists) and senior <strong>Emma McBride <\/strong>(15 goals and 15 assists). The Firebirds will need that and more for 2019, as <strong>Julia Ponce<\/strong> (42 goals), <strong>Emily Knowles<\/strong> (37) and <strong>Hannah Holly<\/strong> (36). This trio accounted for more than half of FPU\u2019s total of 224 goals scored last season, and all graduated last spring.<\/p>\n<p>Luckily, <strong>Madeline Frey<\/strong>, who started 26 matches in her freshman year, is back to protect the Firebird cage. She\u2019ll have help; fellow sophomores <strong>Camryn Berra<\/strong> and <strong>Gracie Bishop<\/strong> are available to Suhovy. Add in eight freshmen, including attackers <strong>Jenna Collins<\/strong> and <strong>Amy Zaninovich<\/strong>, who have already tallied goals in their first action for FPU.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Key Matchup: Fresno State, Friday, February 8, Fresno State Aquatics Center<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"294318\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2018-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/csumb\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/csumb.png\" data-orig-size=\"299,169\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"csumb\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;02\/02\/18&lt;br \/&gt;\ncsumb&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/csumb.png\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/csumb.png\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-294318\" src=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/csumb.png\" alt=\"csumb\" width=\"250\" height=\"141\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/csumb.png 299w, https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/csumb-280x158.png 280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>With Head Coach <strong>Emily Schmit<\/strong> entering her third season in Monterey, <a href=\"https:\/\/otterathletics.com\/index.aspx?path=wwaterpolo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cal State Monterey Bay<\/a> is hoping for a reversal of fortune that has seen the Otters register a total of 11 wins the past two seasons\u2014and only one in WWPA play. Success will be built on a core of four seniors\u2014goalie <strong>Shelby Stephens<\/strong> (149 saves; 10.61 GAA); <strong>Marisa Lovos<\/strong> (27 goals, 18 assists); <strong>Morgan Tucker<\/strong> (28 goals) and <strong>Olivia Woolery<\/strong> (15 goals; 51 steals). CSUMB will look to replace the contributions of graduates <strong>Lucy Gates<\/strong> (28 goals; team-high 57 steals) and <strong>Angela Steele<\/strong> (23 goals; 38 points).<\/p>\n<p>To turn the corner, nine underclassmen\u2014including five freshmen\u2014will need to step up. Leading candidates are sophomore <strong>Gabriella Dana<\/strong> (26 starts in 2018) and newcomers <strong>Kaitlin Rooney<\/strong>, <strong>Olivia Centis<\/strong> and <strong>Hannah Kharazi<\/strong>. One key indicator of progress will be a win over rival Cal State East Bay; that hasn\u2019t happened since 2015\u2014a stretch of eight-straight Otter losses.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Key Matchup: Cal State East Bay, Saturday, March 9, Hayward, CA<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"294323\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2018-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/mercyhurst\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/mercyhurst.png\" data-orig-size=\"1272,635\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"mercyhurst\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;02\/02\/18&lt;br \/&gt;\nmercyhurst&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/mercyhurst-700x500.png\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/mercyhurst-1024x511.png\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-294323\" src=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/mercyhurst-700x500.png\" alt=\"mercyhurst\" width=\"230\" height=\"115\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/mercyhurst-533x266.png 533w, https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/mercyhurst-280x140.png 280w, https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/mercyhurst-1024x511.png 1024w, https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/mercyhurst.png 1272w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 230px) 100vw, 230px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>What makes the WWPA so interesting is that it represents a true fusion of East and West, including four DII programs outside of California. Historically the strongest of those has been <a href=\"https:\/\/hurstathletics.com\/index.aspx?path=wwpolo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mercyhurst<\/a>; a 4-0 run in conference play made the Lakers a third seed in the 2018 WWPA Championships; alas, <strong>Curtis Robinette\u2019s <\/strong>squad could not get pass sixth-seeded CSUMB, dropping a 9-7 decision and finishing 6th.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Chloe Kunst<\/strong> (32 goals), <strong>Maddie Nye<\/strong> (26) and <strong>Jennifer Moshinsky<\/strong> (23) all return for a Lakers\u2019 attack that tallied 169 scores in 2018. Junior <strong>Madison Maes<\/strong>\u00a0returns to the Mercyhurst cage after an injury-plagued 2018 campaign; she will be ably assisted by sophomore <strong>Sarah O\u2019Keffe<\/strong>, who stepped in and started 19 games. <strong>Robinette <\/strong>has brought in five freshmen; he now has 10 underclassmen on a roster of 16, so his younger players will need to adjust to the cross-country reality of WWPA play.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Key Matchup: Gannon, Saturday, April 13, Erie, PA<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"294322\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2018-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/gannon\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/gannon.png\" data-orig-size=\"180,158\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"gannon\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;02\/02\/18&lt;br \/&gt;\ngannon&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/gannon.png\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/gannon.png\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-294322\" src=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/gannon.png\" alt=\"gannon\" width=\"210\" height=\"184\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gannonsports.com\/index.aspx?path=wwpolo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gannon<\/a> is perhaps the best example of how adventurous\u2014and potentially ground-breaking\u2014the WWPA is. The Lady Knights\u2019 new head coach is <strong>Shane Unger<\/strong>, who left a comfortable position with Socal, one of California\u2019s top age-group clubs, to set-up shop in Erie, PA.<\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/five-questions-for-shane-unger-new-gannon-mens-and-womens-water-polo-coach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">[Five Questions for Shane Unger, New Gannon Men\u2019s and Women\u2019s Water Polo Coach]<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Unger will have his work cut out for him if he\u2019s to break through to the conference\u2019s upper half. Since joining the WWPA in 2015. the Lady Knights have yet to triumph over it California conference rivals (0-9). It will be tough to expect Gannon\u2019s new coach to work miracles in his first season, but he will have eight seniors returning, including <strong>Alison Cooney<\/strong> (52 goals), <strong>Liz Barr<\/strong> (31) and <strong>Francesca Williamson<\/strong> (31). Also, leading scorer\u00a0<strong>Campbell<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>Ruh<\/strong> (53 goals, 27 assists, 28 steals\u2014 WWPA All-Freshman Team) is back, as is junior goalie Isabelle Vieira (174 saves).<\/p>\n<p>With some skill and luck and a bit of Socal knowhow, the Lady Knights may achieve some program first in 2019.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Key Matchup: La Salle, Sunday, February 16, Erie PA (Mercyhurst Invitational)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"294324\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2018-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/mckendree\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/mckendree-e1530460498507.png\" data-orig-size=\"333,151\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"mckendree\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;02\/02\/18&lt;br \/&gt;\nmckendree&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/mckendree-e1530460498507.png\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/mckendree-e1530460498507.png\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-294324\" src=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/mckendree-e1530460498507.png\" alt=\"mckendree\" width=\"250\" height=\"113\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Now entering its third season, <a href=\"https:\/\/mckbearcats.com\/index.aspx?path=wwpolo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">McKendree<\/a> has made great strides as a program. Last year, the Bearcat men won their first-ever Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference-West; the McKendree women endured a tough start to WWPA play, but finished on a strong note with a win over Gannon, good for seventh place.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/on-the-record-with-colleen-lischwe-mckendree-mens-and-womens-water-polo-coach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>[On The Record with Colleen Lischwe, Head Coach of McKendree Men\u2019s and Women\u2019s Water Polo]<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In 2019, Head Coach <strong>Colleen Lischwe<\/strong> returns 10 players\u2014including freshman sensation <strong>Emily Westlove<\/strong> (54 goals; WWPA All-Freshman Team and Second Team All-Conference). Lischwe signed 13 freshmen\u2014most notably goalies <strong>Katie Monjay<\/strong> and <strong>Isabella Strimling<\/strong>\u2014to replenish her roster. No surprise; goalie <strong>Gabby Madewell <\/strong>got the majority of starts last season; she\u2019s graduated and her primary back-up, <strong>Crystal Armstrong<\/strong>, has transferred out.<\/p>\n<p>After a strong 2017 campaign\u2014when the Bearcats were playing as a club team\u2014<strong>Brianna Mullalley <\/strong>registered a team-high 67 goals. Now a junior, the San Diego native will need to regain her scoring touch and provide leadership for a McKendree squad with exactly four upperclassmen, including junior netminder <strong>Kim Fay<\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Key Matchup: Monmouth, Sunday, April 7, O&#8217;Fallon, IL<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"334392\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/mid-atlantic-water-polo-conference-report-salem-internationals-eclectic-water-polo-program\/salem-logo\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/salem-logo.png\" data-orig-size=\"225,225\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"salem-logo\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;salem-logo&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/salem-logo.png\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/salem-logo.png\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-334392 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/salem-logo.png\" alt=\"salem-logo\" width=\"225\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/salem-logo.png 225w, https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/salem-logo-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/salem-logo-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/salem-logo-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/salem-logo-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/salemtigers.com\/index.aspx?path=wwpolo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Salem University<\/a> will join the WWPA this season, and the maiden NCAA varsity voyage for the Tigers looks to be rocky. Luckily, new Head Coach <strong>Justin Kassab<\/strong> has 10 players ready to go, including junior <strong>Maryanna Antoniou<\/strong>, sophomore Chloe Woodbine and eight freshmen, primarily from abroad.<\/p>\n<p>Antoniou, a Greek native, is formerly with Hartwick, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/broken-trust-hartwick-college-eliminates-womens-water-polo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">eliminated<\/a> its women\u2019s program last spring. <strong>Margherita Garibbo<\/strong> hails from Italy, <strong>Beatrice Popescu<\/strong> is from Romania, <strong>Annefleur ten Bloemendal<\/strong> is from the Netherlands, and Woodbine, <strong>Philippa Piper<\/strong> and <strong>Erin Zappia<\/strong> are all from Australia. No one should be surprised Kassab&#8217;s international roster finds immediate WWPA success in 2019.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Key Matchup: Occidental, Saturday, February 23, Erie, PA (Washington &amp; Jefferson Invitational)<\/strong><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Editor\u2019s Note: The 2019 NCAA women\u2019s water polo season officially opened on Saturday, January 12th with the ASU Invitational at\u00a0Arizona State. Action continued last weekend for numerous NCAA varsity programs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4875,"featured_media":348055,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"dois","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,12],"tags":[69369,66059,73531,66057,73540,29498,66045,66065,63435,73522,66047,73526,67704,66053,73533,66063,2110,66062,66048,73535,73534,66049,66058,73536,66056,73532,73528,73539,73538,66064,66061,60192,73530,73524,73537,73527,72787,73529,66052,73525,66046,1401,63427],"class_list":["post-348050","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-water-polo","tag-adrien-van-dyke","tag-alison-cooney","tag-angela-steele","tag-auriel-bill","tag-beatrice-popescu","tag-big-west-conference","tag-brad-kreutzkamp","tag-brianna-mullalley","tag-bryan-suhovy","tag-cal-state-east-bay-water-polo","tag-cal-state-monterey-bay-water-polo","tag-cassidy-mundt","tag-chanel-schilling","tag-chelsea-hennan","tag-chloe-kunst","tag-colleen-lischwe","tag-coralie-simmons","tag-curtis-robinette","tag-emily-schmit","tag-emily-westlove","tag-francesca-williamson","tag-fresno-pacific-water-polo","tag-gannon-water-polo","tag-justin-kassab","tag-lisa-cooper","tag-maddie-nye","tag-madeline-frey","tag-margherita-garibbo","tag-maryanna-antoniou","tag-mckendree-water-polo","tag-mercyhurst-water-polo","tag-michael-randazzo","tag-olivia-woolery","tag-reilly-gallagher","tag-salem-water-polo","tag-sam-witt","tag-shane-unger","tag-shelby-stephens","tag-sonoma-state-water-polo","tag-taylor-brook","tag-uc-san-diego-water-polo","tag-western-water-polo-association","tag-wwpa"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.3 (Yoast SEO v24.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\r\n<title>2019 Women\u2019s Water Polo Preview: Western Water Polo Association - Swimming World<\/title>\r\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"UC San Diego has captured the past 6 WWPA titles and are favored for a seventh title in 2019\u2014the Tritons&#039; last before moving to the Big West next season.\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\r\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"2019 Women\u2019s Water Polo Preview: Western Water Polo Association\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"UC San Diego has captured the past 6 WWPA titles and are favored for a seventh title in 2019\u2014the Tritons&#039; last before moving to the Big West next season.\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Swimming World\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SwimmingWorld\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-01-21T19:00:25+00:00\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2019-01-21T22:21:33+00:00\" \/>\r\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/tritons-jan19.jpg\" \/>\r\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1600\" \/>\r\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"900\" \/>\r\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Michael Randazzo\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@swimmingworld\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@swimmingworld\" \/>\r\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Michael Randazzo\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\r\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Michael Randazzo\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/fb1d58ba008040c3ad837f46defed7bb\"},\"headline\":\"2019 Women\u2019s Water Polo Preview: Western Water Polo Association\",\"datePublished\":\"2019-01-21T19:00:25+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2019-01-21T22:21:33+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/\"},\"wordCount\":1738,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/tritons-jan19.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Adrien Van Dyke\",\"Alison Cooney\",\"Angela Steele\",\"Auriel Bill\",\"Beatrice Popescu\",\"Big West Conference\",\"Brad Kreutzkamp\",\"Brianna Mullalley\",\"Bryan Suhovy\",\"Cal State East Bay Water Polo\",\"Cal State Monterey Bay Water Polo\",\"Cassidy Mundt\",\"Chanel Schilling\",\"Chelsea Hennan\",\"Chloe Kunst\",\"Colleen Lischwe\",\"Coralie Simmons\",\"Curtis Robinette\",\"Emily Schmit\",\"Emily Westlove\",\"Francesca Williamson\",\"Fresno Pacific Water Polo\",\"Gannon Water Polo\",\"Justin Kassab\",\"Lisa Cooper\",\"Maddie Nye\",\"Madeline Frey\",\"Margherita Garibbo\",\"Maryanna Antoniou\",\"McKendree Water Polo\",\"Mercyhurst Water Polo\",\"Michael Randazzo\",\"Olivia Woolery\",\"Reilly Gallagher\",\"Salem Water Polo\",\"Sam Witt\",\"Shane Unger\",\"Shelby Stephens\",\"Sonoma State Water Polo\",\"Taylor Brook\",\"UC San Diego Water Polo\",\"Western Water Polo Association\",\"WWPA\"],\"articleSection\":[\"-Home Slider\",\"Water Polo\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/\",\"name\":\"2019 Women\u2019s Water Polo Preview: Western Water Polo Association - Swimming World\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/tritons-jan19.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2019-01-21T19:00:25+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2019-01-21T22:21:33+00:00\",\"description\":\"UC San Diego has captured the past 6 WWPA titles and are favored for a seventh title in 2019\u2014the Tritons' last before moving to the Big West next season.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/tritons-jan19.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/tritons-jan19.jpg\",\"width\":1600,\"height\":900,\"caption\":\"Photo Courtesy: UCSD Athletics\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"2019 Women\u2019s Water Polo Preview: Western Water Polo Association\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/\",\"name\":\"Swimming World\",\"description\":\"The Global Leader in Aquatic News\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Swimming World\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/SWorld_BLKBKG-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/SWorld_BLKBKG-1.jpg\",\"width\":1799,\"height\":900,\"caption\":\"Swimming World\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SwimmingWorld\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/swimmingworld\",\"https:\/\/instagram.com\/swimmingworldmag\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/SwimmingWorldSPI\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/fb1d58ba008040c3ad837f46defed7bb\",\"name\":\"Michael Randazzo\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f34baabfc0ac0cea197ffefec898a876?s=96&d=blank&r=pg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f34baabfc0ac0cea197ffefec898a876?s=96&d=blank&r=pg\",\"caption\":\"Michael Randazzo\"},\"description\":\"Michael Randazzo is a freelance contributor at Swimming World focusing on water polo. He covers polo all over the United States for SW and other publications, including the Collegiate Water Polo Association, Skip Shot, The New York Times, Total Water Polo, Water Polo Planet and others. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two children and roots for St. Francis Brooklyn polo.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/author\/michael-randazzo\/\"}]}<\/script>\r\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"2019 Women\u2019s Water Polo Preview: Western Water Polo Association - Swimming World","description":"UC San Diego has captured the past 6 WWPA titles and are favored for a seventh title in 2019\u2014the Tritons' last before moving to the Big West next season.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"2019 Women\u2019s Water Polo Preview: Western Water Polo Association","og_description":"UC San Diego has captured the past 6 WWPA titles and are favored for a seventh title in 2019\u2014the Tritons' last before moving to the Big West next season.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/","og_site_name":"Swimming World","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SwimmingWorld","article_published_time":"2019-01-21T19:00:25+00:00","article_modified_time":"2019-01-21T22:21:33+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1600,"height":900,"url":"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/tritons-jan19.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Michael Randazzo","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@swimmingworld","twitter_site":"@swimmingworld","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Michael Randazzo","Est. reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/"},"author":{"name":"Michael Randazzo","@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/fb1d58ba008040c3ad837f46defed7bb"},"headline":"2019 Women\u2019s Water Polo Preview: Western Water Polo Association","datePublished":"2019-01-21T19:00:25+00:00","dateModified":"2019-01-21T22:21:33+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/"},"wordCount":1738,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/tritons-jan19.jpg","keywords":["Adrien Van Dyke","Alison Cooney","Angela Steele","Auriel Bill","Beatrice Popescu","Big West Conference","Brad Kreutzkamp","Brianna Mullalley","Bryan Suhovy","Cal State East Bay Water Polo","Cal State Monterey Bay Water Polo","Cassidy Mundt","Chanel Schilling","Chelsea Hennan","Chloe Kunst","Colleen Lischwe","Coralie Simmons","Curtis Robinette","Emily Schmit","Emily Westlove","Francesca Williamson","Fresno Pacific Water Polo","Gannon Water Polo","Justin Kassab","Lisa Cooper","Maddie Nye","Madeline Frey","Margherita Garibbo","Maryanna Antoniou","McKendree Water Polo","Mercyhurst Water Polo","Michael Randazzo","Olivia Woolery","Reilly Gallagher","Salem Water Polo","Sam Witt","Shane Unger","Shelby Stephens","Sonoma State Water Polo","Taylor Brook","UC San Diego Water Polo","Western Water Polo Association","WWPA"],"articleSection":["-Home Slider","Water Polo"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/","url":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/","name":"2019 Women\u2019s Water Polo Preview: Western Water Polo Association - Swimming World","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/tritons-jan19.jpg","datePublished":"2019-01-21T19:00:25+00:00","dateModified":"2019-01-21T22:21:33+00:00","description":"UC San Diego has captured the past 6 WWPA titles and are favored for a seventh title in 2019\u2014the Tritons' last before moving to the Big West next season.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/tritons-jan19.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/tritons-jan19.jpg","width":1600,"height":900,"caption":"Photo Courtesy: UCSD Athletics"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/2019-womens-water-polo-preview-western-water-polo-association\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"2019 Women\u2019s Water Polo Preview: Western Water Polo Association"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/","name":"Swimming World","description":"The Global Leader in Aquatic News","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#organization","name":"Swimming World","url":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/SWorld_BLKBKG-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/SWorld_BLKBKG-1.jpg","width":1799,"height":900,"caption":"Swimming World"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/SwimmingWorld","https:\/\/x.com\/swimmingworld","https:\/\/instagram.com\/swimmingworldmag\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/SwimmingWorldSPI"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/fb1d58ba008040c3ad837f46defed7bb","name":"Michael Randazzo","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f34baabfc0ac0cea197ffefec898a876?s=96&d=blank&r=pg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f34baabfc0ac0cea197ffefec898a876?s=96&d=blank&r=pg","caption":"Michael Randazzo"},"description":"Michael Randazzo is a freelance contributor at Swimming World focusing on water polo. He covers polo all over the United States for SW and other publications, including the Collegiate Water Polo Association, Skip Shot, The New York Times, Total Water Polo, Water Polo Planet and others. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two children and roots for St. Francis Brooklyn polo.","url":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/author\/michael-randazzo\/"}]}},"cc_featured_image_caption":{"caption_text":"In their final season of WWPA play, the Tritons of UC San Diego are favored for a seventh straight title. Photo Courtesy: UCSD Athletics","source_text":"","source_url":""},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/tritons-jan19.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p56Jja-1sxI","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348050","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4875"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=348050"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/348050\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/348055"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=348050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=348050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=348050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}