Dec. 16, 2011

LOS ANGELES - One of the largest recruiting classes in women's water polo history has signed National Letter's of Intent to attend LMU beginning in the fall of 2012, Head Coach Kyle Witt announced on Friday. Nine water polo standouts have committed to the Lions.

The Lions welcome Bridgette Alvarez (Laguna Hills, Calif./Laguna Hills HS), Erin Byrne (Orinda, Calif./Miramonte HS), Ivana Castro (Commerce, Calif./Warren HS), Grace Fowler (Lafayette, Calif./Campolindo HS), Kingsley Hill (San Jose, Calif./Pioneer HS), Danielle Johnson (Walnut Creek, Calif./Las Lomas HS), Megan Linder (Agoura Hills, Calif./Agoura HS), Ashtynn Nelson (Lake Elisnore, Calif./Temescal Canyon HS), and Claire Wright (Lindsay, Ontario, Canada//CVI High School).

"We have five players on this year's squad that will finish their careers in June, with several of them being four year starters and serious contributors to our program's recent success," said Witt. "We needed to bring in both depth and talent at every position and this recruiting class covers those goals.

"The class has had great success at previous levels of water polo. We bring in two goalkeepers, a pair of two-meter players, two drivers, and three utility players. This will immediately add depth to all of our positions and give us the ability to run our LMU system more efficiently"

Here is a look at the Lions 2012 recruiting class:

Bridgette Alvarez
She is a 5'7" two-meter offensive player from Laguna Hills, Calif... Plays for Laguna Hills HS and SET Water Polo Club... She is a two-time All-League league selection... has been a member of the ODP Youth System.

"Bridgette has been developing into one of the top two-meter players in the country and for a senior high school, she already has put together an impressive resume. With her club team, SET, she has had the opportunity to play against, and had success against, some of the top players in the country at the Junior Olympic, Cal Cup, High School, and Open National Tournaments. Bridgette is extremely smart in the pool and her style of play and tremendous upside make her a great fit for us here at LMU."

Erin Byrne
Byrne is another two-meter offensive player, coming from Orinda, Calif. The 5'9" senior plays for Miramonte High School and Diablo WPC... she is a three-time All-DFAL selection and a two-time All-NCS selection... Helped lead her high school team to a championship at the Western States tournament... was named the Napa Tournament MVP... Led Miramonte to a top-four finish in her final season and Diablo Club to a top-four finish at the Summer National Championships.... named 2011 First-Team All-East Bay.

"Erin has been a productive member of several successful squads in Northern California at both the high school and club level. She might go unrecognized at times but her presence is known in more then just the stat book. Erin does a great job of controlling the center of the pool and she competes on every possession for her team. I believe that Erin is going to make huge impacts for us at the two-meter position in the near future."

Ivana Castro
Castro is a 5'6" driver from Commerce, Calif... plays for Warren High School and Commerce Club... she is a three-time All-League and three-time First-Team All-CIF selection... she was a 2009 high school All-American... a member of ODP Youth System and 2008 Junior World Championship squad that earned a silver medal... won several National Championships with Commerce Club.

"Ivana is another talented driver from Gabriel Martinez' Commerce Club that is constantly battling for national titles every time that they take the pool. Athletes from Commerce have had fantastic careers here at LMU and I expect her to be among the best. She is one of the smartest drivers and toughest kids that I have seen play the sport in a while, so I am looking forward to being a part of her continued development. Ivana has the ability to score from virtually any position and her ability to see the pool is uncanny."

Grace Fowler
A 5'9" goalkeeper from Lafayette, Calif., Fowler Plays for Campolindo High School and Diablo WPC... Three-time All-League member, two-time All-Section Member and two-time JO All-American... Member of ODP Youth System... Named to the 2011 All-East Bay second-team.

"Grace has won several major tournaments with her club program and her teams are always competitive. Grace has been the backbone of all her squads and has been one of the top goalkeepers in Northern California for several years. As Grace continues her development at the position, she will turn into one of the top goalkeepers in the WWPA."

Kingsley Hill
She is a 5'9" driver from San Jose, Calif., and plays for Pioneer High School and NorCal WPC... She is a three-time first-team all-league selection... named the DVAL league sophomore, junior, and senior of the year... First-Team All-CCS.

"Kingsley is an extremely fast driver who is just now coming into her own in the sport. She has been leading her high school squad for quite some time and has been playing some high-level club water polo with NorCal. I am excited for Kingsley's development at LMU and I think she will become an impact player for us early in her career. Kingsley's speed and outside shot are tremendous but her ability to fit into the LMU system is what makes me happy that she chose our school."

Danielle Johnson
Danielle Johnson is a 5'11" utility from Walnut Creek, Calif, and plays for Las Lomas High School and 680 Drivers... she was DFAL League MVP in 2010 and 2011... also earned North Coast Section Division II MVP in 2010 and 2011, All-American for Las Lomas in 2010 and she is a three-time Junior Olympic All-American for 680 Drivers... she was Second-Team All-DFAL as a sophomore... member of ODP Youth System and helped lead her team to victories at the Acalanes Tournament and the school's first NCS championship.... named the Bay Area Water Polo Player of the Year for 2011 and the Fall NCS Scholar Athlete for 2011.

"Danielle has been one of the best players in her region for a few years and she has been a huge reason for Las Lomas HS and 680 Drivers recent success. Danielle is an incredibly fast player who will work great in the LMU system of play. Danielle is a finisher who never stops working on the offensive and defensive end of the pool. She has all the tools to be successful at the next level and we are excited to help her achieve her water polo goals."

Megan Linder
Megan Linder is a 5'4" driver from Agoura Hills, Calif., and plays for Agoura High School and Los Angeles Water Polo Club... she is a two-time all-league selection, and an All-CIF selection... she is a member of ODP Youth System.

"Megan plays for me at LAWPC and she is a frequently overlooked part to our team's success. Her game is similar to another former Agoura Charger, three-time All-American Casey Flacks. Megan never stops moving, creates many opportunities for herself and teammates, and seems to be involved in every play in the pool. Megan's work ethic will take her far in our program and she has the talent to make an impact for LMU very early in her career."

Ashtynn Nelson
Ashtynn Nelson is a 5'7" utility player from Lake Elsinore, Calif... She plays for Temescal Canyon High School and Xtreme WPC... she is a two-time All-League and All-CIF selection... she helped lead team to the 2010 CIF title... she is a member of the ODP Youth System.

"Ashtynn is one of the toughest players I have seen in quite some time. Her mentality is going to make her a dominant defensive athlete at the collegiate level and her offense isn't too far behind. She will fit great into our style of play. Ashtynn has recently begun asserting herself on the offensive end of the pool and I think her development as a match-up defender for us will help our team immensely."

Claire Wright

Claire Wright is a 5'11" goalkeeper from Lindsay, Ontario, Canada... She plays for Lindsay CVI High School and Scarborough Shadows WPC... She has been a goalkeeper for Canada's U17 National Team

"Claire had a great summer within the Canadian National System. She helped lead her team to the gold medal of the PanAm games beating a tough American squad in the finals. She is fundamentally sound, has a desire to become the next great Canadian goalkeeper (much like current National team goalkeeper and former Lion great Rachel Riddell), and most importantly, Claire has played in, and won several big matches in her young career."