Three Pioneer water polo players earn all-conference honors
Left to right: Sara Hudyn and Claire Pierce (Photo: Kelley Cox/KLC Fotos)
- April 24, 2013
Three members of the Cal State East Bay women's water polo team were named to the All-Western Water Polo Association all-conference team for 2013, the WWPA has announced. The Pioneers have a 16-15 win-loss record for the season heading into this weekend's conference championships.
Junior Sara Hudyn was selected to the first team, marking the third straight year a CSUEB player has earned first-team honors. The native of Ontario, Canada led the WWPA and set a Pioneer single-season record with 107 goals scored. She also ranks second on the team with 48 steals in 2013. With 156 career goals, Hudyn will enter her senior season ranked third in the history of the Pioneer water polo program.
Senior Claire Pierce caps off a remarkable career with her fourth all-conference selection. For the second time in her carerer Pierce was named to the second team. She led CSUEB with 54 steals and was second on the team with 86 goals, ranking third and fourth, respectively, in the WWPA in those categories. Also a three-time All-American, Pierce will graduate as the Pioneers' all-time leader in goals and steals.
Jennifer Lightbody was named to the all-freshman team. She's the third Pioneer to receive this honor, joining Pierce (2010) and Sarah Grunberger (2011). Lightbody was a regular in the starting lineup during her first year at Cal State East Bay. She has 10 goals, 11 steals, and nine assists, while also contributing solid defense.
Hudyn, Pierce, and Lightbody will lead the Pioneers into Santa Clara this weekend to compete in the WWPA Championships. CSUEB will open the tournament on Friday (April 26) at 12:30 p.m. against No. 11 Loyola Marymount.