Feb. 3, 2009

Los Angeles, CA (Feb. 3, 2009) - Loyola Marymount, who returns three players from the All-Western Water Polo Association selections in 2008, earned the maximum 10 first place votes in the 2009 WWPA Preseason Coaches Poll to be tabbed as the favorite for the upcoming women's water polo season.

The Lions earned 100 total points out of a maximum of 100 in the poll to be the favorite to earn their seventh WWPA title in nine years, as voted on by the 11 head coaches of the WWPA. UC San Diego, Santa Clara and Cal State Bakersfield were all within four points of each other and have been picked to finish second (84 points), third (81) and fourth (80), respectively.

Taking fifth place in the poll is Sonoma State with 56 points, followed by Colorado State in sixth place with 50 points. Rounding out the poll was Cal State Monterey Bay in seventh with 45 points, Cal State San Bernardino right behind with 44 points and in eighth, Cal State East Bay in ninth with 29 points, UC Santa Cruz in 10th with 25 points and Chapman in 11th with 11 points. .

Leading the way in the WWPA in 2009 will be the reigning WWPA Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year from Cal State Bakersfield in seniors Amanda Ortiz and goalie Veronica Campbell. Both were first-team All-WWPA a year ago. Also returning from the All-WWPA first team is LMU's Nicole Hughes and UCSD's Sydney Gstettenbauer. Both will be seniors this season.

Hughes, a second-team All-American in 2008, set the all-time school record with 90 goals last season.

The only second-team selection slated to return this season is Petra Koudelkova of Cal State Bakersfield, Others slated to return this season from 2008 All-WWPA honors are Santa Clara's Amy Lamb and LMU's Diana Romero. Both earned honorable mention honors a year ago.

LMU's season begins this weekend when they travel to the UC San Diego Triton Invitational on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 7-8. The Lions will open with Cal Baptist at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.

2009 WWPA Women's Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Loyola Marymount - 100 points (10 first place votes)
2. UC San Diego - 84 (1)
3. Santa Clara - 81
4. Cal State Bakersfield - 80
5. Sonoma State - 56
6. Colorado State - 50
7. Cal State Monterey Bay - 45
8. Cal State San Bernardino - 44
9. Cal State East Bay - 29
10. UC Santa Cruz - 25
11. Chapman - 11