Final weekend the entire nation’s prime groups have been in motion for the primary time in 2022, with one notable upset that helped form the rankings on this week’s Collegiate Water Polo Girls’s Varsity Ballot.
[CWPA 2022 Women’s Varsity Polls – Week 2/February 2]
That upset belongs to Lengthy Island College. The Sharks, unranked and in simply their third yr of existence, surprised #10 Indiana within the Michigan Invitational, topping the Hoosiers 14-9. For his or her efforts, LIU was voted #17, simply the very best rating in program historical past. Indiana dropped to 18th.
USC, favored for a second-straight nationwide championship—including to the seven they’ve already one—opened the season by trouncing Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Convention (SCIAC) members Claremont-Mudd-Scripts and Occidental. Issues get a extra aggressive this weekend, with the Trojan dealing with DI powers, together with the annual early season scrimmage towards rival UCLA. Stanford, the first risk to the Trojans’ title, simply swept 4 Japanese opponents in opening its season on the Michigan Invite.
The Bruins host the Trojans and the Bulldogs at Spieker Aquatics Heart this weekend; one other noteworthy invite is at Brown, the place the Bruno Traditional will characteristic 11 groups, together with the host Bears, enjoying 19 matches. Each match might be streamed on ESPN+
[2022 Bruno Classic Tournament Central]
Numerous High 20 groups are resting up for the Triton Invitational, to be held subsequent weekend at UC San Diego’s stunning Canyonview Aquatic Heart. There might be many fascinating match-ups as groups together with Lengthy Seaside State, Michigan, Pomona-Pitzer, San Diego State, UC-Davis, UC-Irvine, UCLA, UC-Santa Barbara, USC and others will flock to one of many nation’s most stunning locales.
1) USC (2-0); The Trojans opened the protection of their 2021 NCAA title with matches towards two DIII packages whose complete enrollment might nearly match within the seats at Uytengsu Aquatics Heart. Claremont-Mudd-Scripts (1,200 college students) and Occidental (2,000 college students) could be a standing room-only affair at USC’s stately residence pool (seats 2,500—not together with the band and cheerleaders). However Athena and Tiger followers wouldn’t pay to see the blow-out losses, by an mixture rating of 64-6. Paige Hauschild, one in all Head Coach Marko Pintaric’s three returning Olympians, mercifully scored solely six occasions. Tilly Kearns—on Australia’s Olympic roster—hit for 10. Subsequent up for the Trojans, some stiffer competitors: #8 Fresno State at present at Uytengsu after which a cross-town journey to UCLA on Saturday for #11 San Jose State and a scrimmage with the Bruins.
Makenzie Fischer not solely picked up for Stanford the place she left off, she’s WAY higher! Picture: Catharyn Hayne
2) Stanford (4-0); Head Coach John Tanner’s crew has already overwhelmed a top-10 opponent—#6 Michigan—and exhibited the traits that mark them because the prime contender for the Trojan’s crown. Sturdy protection, wonderful goaltending—sophomore Maya Avital could also be Tanner’s best choice within the Cardinal nets—and superlative scoring. Working example; in three matches Makenzie Fischer, returned from the Tokyo Video games, scored 12 targets on 19 photographs. This weekend Stanford hosts #9 Arizona State, #4 Cal, Fresno Pacific and #18 San Diego State within the Stanford Invitational.
3) UCLA (9-0); The Bruins are off to a quick begin, having overwhelmed six ranked opponents over two weekends, together with #6 Michigan final weekend in Ann Arbor. And red-shirt senior Maddie Musselman has been the whole lot Head Coach Adam Wright might have requested for: 23 targets (on 39 photographs) and senior management to freshmen Emma Lineback, Molly Renner, Grace Myers and Nicole Struss. Is an Olympian with an ideal supporting solid sufficient to beat the Trojans or the Cardinal? One clue will come this weekend when USC and UCLA scrimmage at Spieker.
4) Cal-Berkeley (8-0); The Golden Bears have additionally been busy through the season’s first two weeks, dealing with eight ranked opponents—together with 4 from the highest ten–and beating all of them. Head Coach Coralie Simmons has two returning Olympians— Kitty Lynn Joustra (The Netherlands) and Emma Wright (Canada)—but it surely’s goalie Isabel Simmons who has made the largest impression. A junior from Maryland, Simmons has appeared in all of Cal’s video games and has already notched 69 saves. This week options an enormous non-conference check: Stanford and Arizona State at Avery Aquatic Heart.
5) Michigan (5-3); It is perhaps shocking that the nation’s fifth-ranked group already has three losses. However contemplate who the Wolverines have misplaced to (all ranked forward of them within the polls): Stanford, UCLA and Cal. They’ve already had some huge wins—together with a shocking OT victory over Arizona State two weeks in the past in Tempe. What’s subsequent for Head Coach Marcelo Leonardi’s group is a well-deserved relaxation after which a visit to sunny San Diego subsequent weekend for the Triton Invitational at UCSD.
6) Hawai’i (3-1); The Rainbow Wahine was one other sufferer of the Wolverines in Ann Arbor, In any other case, Head Coach Maureen Cole’s group fared properly very removed from residence, with wins over Indiana, Michigan and Salem. There’s a cease/go high quality to Hawai’i’s season; they have been meant to open with 4 matches mid-January at residence, however COVID-19 modified that. Now Cole and her group have to attend once more—till subsequent week once they’ll be a part of Michigan and plenty of others on the Triton Invitational.
7) UC-Irvine (2-2); One shocking loss to Michigan dumped the Anteaters right down to seventh, the place they’ve sat for 2 weeks as they didn’t compete final weekend. Barring any stunning upsets Head Coach Dan Klatt’s group will keep the place they’re; UCI performs Azusa Pacific and Concordia at residence on Saturday.
8) Fresno State (3-5); One other group with quite a few early-season losses which can be solely justified, the Bulldogs have misplaced to Cal twice, Michigan and UC-Irvine. In addition they dropped a one-goal resolution to San Jose State; the web result’s that Head Coach Natalie Benson’s group has jumped two spots within the polls since opening at #10. The largest purpose is FSU’s opening day win towards host Arizona State, then ranked #4.
Natalie Benson is correct in the midst of Fresno State success. Picture: Fresno State Athletics
9) Arizona State (2-4); The Solar Devils bounced again from dropping all 4 video games at residence on their opening weekend of play, sweeping Loyola Marymount twice at residence final weekend. Now comes non-conference matches towards Stanford and Cal—ASU’s Mountain Pacific Sports activities Federation (MPSF) rivals. Combine in #10 UC-Davis and it is a very powerful weekend for Head Coach Todd Clapper’s squad.
10) UC-Davis (5-1); One of the best Aggie begin since 2007 probably has Head Coach Jamey Wright and his group is keen for extra—particularly after huge wins towards ranked opponents Lengthy Seaside State, Pacific and San Jose State. Now comes the exhausting half; a visit down the coast to Palo Alto and the Stanford Invitational; ready for UCD at Avery are the Solar Devils of ASU and the Golden Bears of Cal.
11) San Jose State (6-3); One other group having fun with an ideal begin are the Spartans. With wins over Fresno State, Pacific and UC-Santa Barbara—and a slender loss to UC-Davis—Head Coach Beth Harberts is realizing tangible success in her third yr at San Jose. Which is all relative when your squad competes within the MPSF, beginning tomorrow, convention actuality units in. First, UCLA at Spieker at present in an MPSF tilt, then USC on Saturday, in a non-conference match adopted by Fresno State. Ouch!
12) UC-San Diego (4-2); A tricky opening-day loss to Wagner was however a stumble for the Tritons. In addition they misplaced to UCLA however beat the Spartans and Princeton. A relaxation this weekend results in their very own event subsequent Saturday and Sunday; Head Coach Brad Kreutzkamp has circled Saturday’s recreation as a result of it’s towards cross-town rival San Diego State.
13) Lengthy Seaside State (3-3); The 49ers are a story of two weekends; on their opening one they swept two DIII groups from the SCIAC; final weekend they went 1-3 towards DI opponents, beating Pacific and dropping to Cal, Fresno State and UC-Davis. They too will relaxation up for the Triton Invitational subsequent weekend.
14) Wagner School (6-2); A profitable weekend on the Bucknell Invitational has the Seahawks flying excessive; that is the very best they’ve been within the CWPA ballot since an all-time greatest place of #13 in 2018. Presently Wagner has the highest group within the East, and Head Coach Ciaran Wolohan will wish to keep proper there with video games this weekend in Windfall on the Bruno Traditional. Hurdles forward embrace Harvard and Cal Baptist—each of whom acquired votes on this week’s ballot.
UCSB’s Serela Kay has deflected questions on her program by profitable. Picture: UCSB Athletics
15 (T) UC-Santa Barbara (7-2); for a group that has acquired undesirable scrutiny on account of a major departure of gamers from final yr—one which featured a untimely ending to their season on account of COVID-19—the Gauchos are doing fairly properly, thanks. Head Coach Serela Kay has guided her group to it’s greatest January document since she arrived in Santa Barbara in 2014—and she or he’s completed it with out senior attacker Amanda Legaspi, who has but to play this season. For an encore, the Gauchos will relaxation every week after which journey to San Diego for the Triton Invitational.
15 (T) Pacific (0-4); In case one is moved to concern in regards to the gradual begin for Head Coach James Graham’s squad, contemplate that the one factor that issues is that if the Tigers qualify for NCAAs—which they did for 3 straight seasons (2017-19) earlier than COVID worn out 2020 and impacted 2021. With a roster chock-full of gamers from all around the globe—together with Clara Vulpisi, Brianna Utas and Lucy Davis, all of whom have expertise with the Canadian nationwide group—Graham and his squad might be within the combine for a GCC title by season’s finish.
17) Lengthy Island College (2-2); It’s unattainable to underestimate the importance of the Sharks’ beautiful upset of then-#10 Indiana ultimately week’s Michigan Invitational. For a program in its third yr of existence, to journey West and beat a High Ten is a spectacular accomplishment—and so they earned a measure of respect from a number of the nation’s greatest. Head Coach Gabby Juarez’s group hopes to proceed a robust opening to yr three this weekend in Windfall, the place they are going to face host Brown and St. Francis College.
[UCLA Women’s Water Polo Faces New Opponents in Growing Collegiate Sport]
18 (T) Indiana (5-3); The Hoosiers, on the unsuitable facet of a 14-9 match final week towards the Sharks, has two weeks to regroup earlier than a visit to California for the Fresno State Invite (February 19 – 20). There are quite a lot of positives for Head Coach Taylor Dodson to give attention to, together with a robust efficiency in Ann Arbor towards MPSF rival UCLA and #6 Hawai’i. And, like lots of the groups within the ballot, it’s not the way you begin, it’s the way you do within the postseason that issues most.
18 (T) San Diego State (0-0); Due to COVID issues, the Aztecs have but to play a recreation this season—which means there’s no ramp in for this weekend’s matches towards Stanford and Arizona State at Avery Aquatic Heart. Polo is a sink or swim proposition, and Head Coach Carin Crawford—now in her twenty second yr main San Diego State—is aware of that higher than anybody.
18 (T) Loyola Marymount (2-2); The Lions have been the third of the three groups to take part within the Rainbow Invitational at Hawai’i, what would have been the season opener for 2022. Alas, Head Coach Kyle Witt’s squad misplaced its try at an early begin to the season; they are going to go into subsequent week’s Triton Invite with much less matches than everybody else however prepared for motion.
Jovana Sekulic, Princeton’s improbable frosh, might be prepared for subsequent week’s event. Picture: Princeton Athletics
21) Princeton (3-2); After a robust begin to their season two weekends in the past on the UCSB Winter Invite, the Tigers got here residence for a win over La Salle final week in Philadelphia. Tonight they’ll play Villanova (once more in Philly) as a tune-up to internet hosting 9 groups at residence subsequent weekend.
22) Harvard (2-0); The Crimson doubled up Villanova final weekend to start out their season. This weekend they journey down Interstate 95 t for the Bruno Traditional, the place more durable competitors awaits, together with #14 Wagner, #24 Cal Baptist, La Salle and Pomona-Pitzer.
23) Marist (0-3); As they’ve in years previous, the Crimson Foxes are beginning gradual, with matches towards a number of the prime groups within the nation. The outcomes weren’t fairly; a 22-5 loss to #2 Stanford and 20-4 defeat inflicted by #6 Hawai’i. The competitors in Windfall this weekend might be considerably simpler to handle: Pomona-Pitzer and St. Francis College.
24 (T) Bucknell (2-1); The Bison loved success final weekend at their very own invite, with a giant loss to Wagner their solely blemish. Head Coach John McBride’s squad will get again in motion subsequent weekend at Princeton.
24 (T) Cal-Baptist (2-4); Certainly one of two Californian groups touring to Windfall for this weekend’s Brown event—Pomona-Pitzer is the opposite—the Lancers will see how they examine towards Japanese packages, together with host Brown, Harvard, La Salle and large, unhealthy Wagner.
