Event: Women’s Club Water Polo National Championships
Teams: No. 5 UC Davis vs. No. 14 Carleton; TBA
Records: Aggies, 11-0
Where: Schaal Aquatic Center
When: Friday at 11:20 a.m.; Saturday at TBA; Sunday at TBA
Who to watch: The Aggies field a tenacious 10 seniors on their roster. The experienced senior class has taken UC Davis to three national tournaments and since joining the Sierra Pacific League in 2007. It has an overall record of 30-3, with all three losses coming to Fresno State during its 2007 national championship season.
“We’ve got 10 seniors on this team that have definitely built a tradition of winning, dedication and cohesiveness,” said coach Tony Seto.
Did you know? The last time the Aggies hosted the national tournament was in 1993. That year also marks UC Davis‘ last women’s club water polo championship. The Aggies are hoping that home pool advantage is once again their ticket to the title.
Preview: The top 16 club teams in the country will be in Davis this weekend to compete for the national championship.
The Aggies are coming off an undefeated regular season and are looking to avenge last year’s defeat in the national semifinal. UC Davis went on to take third, losing to host Oregon.
“We’re incredibly honored by this,” club president Kristina Forest said. “We’re extremely lucky that the year we have 10 seniors on the team not only does our league get to host, but UC Davis gets to host. … Nationals always brings high caliber play, so it will be entertaining to say the least.“
Last year’s national champion and top-seed Cal Poly will be attending as well as last year’s national runner-up Oregon.
UC Davis looks to get past these teams and anyone else that gets in its way in hopes of bringing the club championship back to Davis for the first time in 16 years.
“In terms of hosting nationals for the type of field that’s coming through here, this is definitely a feather in UC Davis‘ cap,” Seto said. “It was a huge honor to have made nationals last year and have placed third. However, it would be an even bigger honor to win in our hometown.“
The Aggies will first matchup with Carleton out of Minnesota, the winner of the Heartland Division. Although it may be the No. 14 seed in the tournament, all teams attending are the champions of their respective leagues.
“Realistically, we’re looking at tough matchups for all four of our games,” Seto said. “Anyone being a league champion should be tough competition and treated accordingly.“
– Sammy Brasch
