Pioneers Receive First-Ever Votes in CWPA Varsity Poll
Junior driver Ana Rosa plays defense for the Pioneers. (Photo: David McMurdie)
- February 3, 2010
HAYWARD, Calif. - The Cal State East Bay women's water polo team received votes in the Collegiate Water Polo Association Women's Varsity poll for the first time ever this week. The Pioneers (1-2) defeated then-No. 19 Santa Clara and held their own in a loss to No. 3 Hawai'i on Sunday at the NorCal Tournament at Cal to garner three votes in the poll, which ranks the top 20 varsity water polo programs across all NCAA divisions.
Cal State East Bay downed the Broncos 13-10 on Sunday, thanks in part to a five-goal fourth quarter. Senior utility and NCAA Honorable Mention Player of the Week Jenna Casady led the Pioneers with four goals in the win, posting two scores in the final period, including the game winner. Freshman goalie Emily Hucal stopped six Santa Clara shots in the first start of her collegiate career.
Sunday's nightcap saw the Pioneers post six goals, including four in the fourth quarter, against a strong Hawai'i team. Though the Rainbow Wahine took home the 14-6 win, Cal State East Bay held its own, drawing kickouts and forcing UH's goalies to make seven saves. Casady led the way for the Pioneers again, posting another pair of goals to finish the weekend with six total.
Stanford remained locked in the No. 1 spot in the poll after opening the season with three wins and out-scoring its opponents 50-15 at the NorCal Tournament. USC claimed the No. 2 spot while Hawai'i, Cal and UCLA rounded out the top five for the second straight week. The Pioneers joined Long Beach State, Santa Clara, Princeton and Pacific among the schools receiving votes from the pollsters.
The CWPA poll is voted on by 10 coaches and sports information directors from CWPA member institutions. The voters represent institutions from all conferences and all areas of the country across all divisions.
Cal State East Bay returns to action this Sunday as it plays host to Cal State Monterey Bay in its home opener. The Pioneers and Otters are set to get underway at Pioneer Pool at noon.