Jan. 19, 2007

Los Angeles, CA (Jan. 19) - Loyola Marymount University women's water polo finished the 2006 season with a 25-5 mark and eighth in the nation will be heading into the 2007 season picked to finish second in the Western Water Polo Association as announced by the first-annual WWPA Preseason Coaches' Poll.

The UC Davis women's water polo team has been selected as the preseason favorite to capture its second straight Western Water Polo Association title, as selected by the WWPA coaches. The Aggies, who snapped the Lions' five-year hold on the title in 2006, earned seven first place votes to finish ahead of the Lions by just three points.

LMU finished with five first place votes and 126 total points, compared to UCD's seven first place nods and 129 points. The Lions, who finished 25-5 overall a year ago, had won five straight WWPA titles before giving way to UC Davis. The Lions return senior Stacia Peterson, who played only seven games in 2006 and was granted a medical redshirt a year ago due to a back injury. Peterson is second all-time with 161 career goals for the Lions. LMU also returns first-team All-WWPA performer Katie Hicks, who led the team with 56 goals.

Santa Clara was picked to finish third with 110 points, edging out UC San Diego with 105 points. The Broncos finished in third a year ago, the best conference finish in program history. Head Coach Keith Wilbur earned WWPA Coach of the Year honors for leading the Broncos to a 25-8 overall record. The Broncos return second-team All-WWPA selection Katie Radvanyi for her senior season. As for UC San Diego, they return All-WWPA honorable mention selection Natalie Hockett for her senior season. She is the top goal scorer returning for the Tritons with 47 in 2006.

Rounding out the 2007 WWPA Coaches' Poll is Cal State Bakersfield with 93 points at fifth, Cal State San Bernardino in sixth with 79 points, Colorado State and Sonoma State were picked in a tie for seventh with 68 points, Cal State East Bay is at ninth with 50 points, Cal State Monterey Bay in 10th with 40 points, UC Santa Cruz at 11th with 39 points and Chapman at No. 12 with 29 points.

The Lions will begin their traditionally tough schedule at home in the Burns Recreation and Aquatics Center when they host USC, who finished second in the nation a year ago, on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 3:00 p.m.

2007 WWPA Coaches Poll
Team (first place votes)- Total Points
1. UC Davis (7) 129
2. Loyola Marymount (5) 126
3. Santa Clara 110
4. UC San Diego 105
5. Cal State Bakersfield 93
6. Cal State San Bernardino 79
t7. Colorado State 68
t7. Sonoma State 68
9. Cal State East Bay 50
10. Cal State Monterey Bay 40
11. UC Santa Cruz 39
12. Chapman 29