LOS ANGELES – Head Coach Ikaika Aki has promoted Sarah Kreiser to Associate Head Coach following two highly successful seasons with the LMU Women's Water Polo Program.

"We are excited to announce that Coach Kreiser has been elevated to Associate Head Coach," said Aki. "Over the last two years, Kreiser has played an important role in developing each component of our championship culture at LMU. Whether challenging our current student-athletes to be the best version of themselves or recruiting the next generation of LMU student-athletes, I know this program will have it's best chance to repeat as conference champions with her in our corner."
 
In just two seasons working with the Lions, Coach Kreiser has teamed up with Coach Aki to return LMU to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012. The pair are 14-0 in GCC games since Kreiser's arrival to Los Angeles.

"I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity and for Ikaika's trust in me," said Kreiser. "It is a privilege to be a part of a team where talent is matched by accountability, initiative, and resilience has been both inspiring and grounding.  I'm excited for what lies ahead as we build on our momentum and continued growth of the program."
 
In 2025, LMU women's water polo, went undefeated in conference play for the second consecutive season, won the Golden Coast Conference Tournament title for the first time since 2015, and returned to the NCAA Championships for the program's first time since 2012. The historic season ended with the Lions ranked seventh nationally in the final polls of both the CWPA and ACWPC final polls.
 
The 2024 season saw tremendous success as Kreiser helped guide the Lions to a 27-3 record and undefeated 7-0 mark in Golden Coast Conference games. The Lions did not lose a game between Feb. 3, 2024, and Apr. 27, 2024, as part of the program-record 20-game win streak. LMU posted a 9-0 mark at home.
 
As a mentor, Kreiser has helped coached Ruth Arino Ruiz to back-to-back Second Team All-America Honors and consecutive Golden Coast Conference Player of the Year Awards. In total six All-American recognitions have been received under Kreiser's tenure. Alyssa Barnuevo and Yanah Gerber were named ACWPC Honorable Mention All-Americans in 2025 and Lior Ben David and Skye Nankervis were named ACWPC Honorable Mention All-Americans in 2024.

Prior to arriving at LMU, Kreiser worked on the coaching staff at her alma mater, UCSB, and served as Head Coach of the both the high school girls and the 14u girls at Santa Barbara Premier Water Polo Club.
 
Kreiser played her collegiate water polo for the Gauchos from 2015-19 where she earned both All-Big West and Academic All-Conference honors during her time. She was a three-year starter and captain and helped the program to the Big West Conference Championship in 2016.
 
After graduating from UCSB with a degree in History of Art and Architecture, Kreiser continued her education in Scotland at the University of St. Andrews, where she earned a master's degree with Merit in Art History. While abroad, she played a season for the St. Andrews women's water polo team and for Coventry City Water Polo in the British Water Polo League 2019-2020. 
 
Kreiser was a top 3 scorer in the British National League that year. As a player at St. Andrews, she earned Half Blue Distinction honors for Excellence in Sporting. She also served on the coaching staff at St. Andrews for the second team competing in the 1A league, leading the team to its first 1a League Championship.
 
Donate Today:
Fans interested in making a contribution to the Lions Athletic Fund can do so by clicking here. Your gift will help provide a transformational student-athlete experience athletically, academically, and culturally for every LMU student-athlete. We appreciate your continued support of LMU Athletics.