Nov. 26, 2010

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Mackenzie Beck from Santa Margarita Catholic High School and Laura Lopez from Montebello High School have signed National Letters of Intent to attend LMU and play of the women's water polo team, second-year Head Coach Kyle Witt announced this week. The pair of All-CIF selections will join an already talented squad as the Lions continue to build upon their success of last season's record setting campaign.

Beck, a 5-8 utility, has received several awards through her high school including a first team All-Trinity League selection in 2009 and was the Trinity League's MVP in 2010. She was also a second-team All-CIF selection last season.

"Mackenzie is a true utility player that has the ability to be an outside shooter and driver with her game sense and speed as well as get in the middle of the pool and create opportunities at the two-meter position," said Witt, who led the Lions to its second best record in school history at 28-8 and a No. 4 national ranking in 2010. "I am extremely excited about Mackenzie's future as she has showed continued development with her high school and club teams and has begun to be noticed at the national level. I expect Mackenzie to make a serious impact at LMU in her four years."

Beck also plays club water polo with one of the most successful clubs in the country, S.E.T., under the guidance of coach Brad Shumacher. She has also been active within the national team system where she was a two year member of the National Youth Team and has been at several Junior Team Selection Camps. Beck chose LMU, her father's alma mater, over schools such as USC, UCLA, and UCSB.

As for Lopez, a 5-6 driver, adds to the Lions' list of players coming from Commerce Aquatics Club led by Gabriel Martinez - including All-Americans and future teammates Mary Ann Campos and Diana Romero.

"Commerce and Gabriel Martinez continually turn out high level players year-in and year-out and we are extremely happy to have Laura continue her education and playing career at LMU," said Witt. "She will join a long line of successful Commerce players such as Eliana Arellano, Mary Ann Campos, Daisy Carrillo, and Diana Romero. Laura will be expected to make an immediate impact at the driving position and I expect her to be every bit as successful as her predecessors."

Like Beck, Lopez is also well decorated with several awards at both the high school and club levels. She is a three-time All-CIF player, earning third, second, and first-team honors in her first three years of competition, respectively. She was also named the school's rookie of the year her freshman year and Athlete of the Year during her junior year.

At Commerce Club, she has earned several awards including multiple All-American awards and a team MVP award. Lopez has played within the national system on the Youth Team with Beck for several years and has moved on to train with the Junior team as well.