June 1, 2010

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- After one of the most successful seasons in LMU women's water polo history, Head Coach Kyle Witt has announced the signing of another strong class to National Letters of Intent to continue their education and water polo careers at LMU. Alexandra Honny signed in November and is joined by Kiara Cerda, Sammi Peck, Katie Ricks, and Kassandra Smith, who signed this spring, to form the Lions' class of 2014.

The Class of 2014 will join an already young and talented squad that finished 28-6 overall and fourth in the nation, the second best finish in program history. The Lions lose just four seniors from that squad and only one starter.

"The recruiting class of 2014 will have some tough shoes to fill because of the impact that this past year's freshman had on our program. Kristine Cato and Erin Manke earned serious minutes for us this year, and Sophie Howard, Camille Hopp, and Jessica Morelos all developed nicely through the year," said Wiit, who wrapped up his first season at the helm of the Lions. "I feel like the Class of 2014 is up to the challenge. Our goal of winning our conference and a national title is not lost on this recruiting class and they will certainly be willing to join the squad and do whatever it takes to move forward as a program."

Cerda comes from Miami's Ransom Everglades High School and brings a wealth of experience from the national team programs. She helped lead Ransom Everglades to the 2009 and 2010 state championship. In addition, Cerda trains year round with the Miami Riptides, which is coached by LMU alumni Eric Lefebvre. Cerda has been a member of the Southeast Zone Team for five straight years.

"Kiara is a natural athlete that plays with an extreme amount of heart and a never quit attitude," said Witt. "She knows how to use her assets to her advantage and once she gets into our pool in the Fall of 2010, she will immediately make an impact as she has an opportunity to guard two of the top two-meter players in the WWPA, day-in and day-out."

Peck is from The Bishop's School in San Diego and comes to LMU after proving herself to be one of the top players in the San Diego area. She claimed the Bishop's School's Scholar-Athlete of the year award this month and also boasts several first-team awards, including All-CIF, Union Tribune, All-Academic, and Western League.

"Sammi plays for the San Diego Shores club team when she is not with Bishop's and has proved herself to be someone that completely understands the game and knows how to lead her teammates," said Witt. "When coaching against her at the club level, Sammi requires a double team any time that we play her, so her skill set immediately caught my attention."

Ricks comes from Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, Calif., and will join both the Lion water polo and swimming teams in the Fall of 2010. As a swimmer she achieved many milestones, including being a five-time individual event league champion and a six-time CCS finalist in her relay events. Ricks' high school career came to an end this spring with her earning first-team All-BVAL and first-team All-CCS honors while scoring over 100 goals for her team. She plays her club water polo with former Olympian Chris Dorst and the Norcal Water Polo Club.

"LMU has a history of having dual sport athletes in swimming and water polo that will make an impact on both programs and I expect Katie to be no different," said Witt. "Katie has the speed to play at the Division I level and once she gains some experience with our squad I expect her to add to our depth and talent at the driving position. She will be playing with one of the top club team's in the nation and that experience will serve as an excellent springboard to her college career."

Smith is from Santa Margarita Catholic High School and has helped guide her team to league championships in the Trinity League three of her four years with the varsity squad. In the process she has earned two All-League awards along the way.

"Kassandra is fairly new to the sport having only started her freshman year of high school and already posses the athleticism and individual speed that we look for all of our athletes to have," said Witt. "I am excited to get Kassandra into our program and to get her more focused training."