LMU women's water polo Head Coach
Ikaika Aki hired Sarah Kreiser as the program's assistant coach ahead of the Spring 2024 season. The 2027 season will be Kreiser’s fourth at LMU. Kreiser joined LMU following two seasons in the same position at UC Santa Barbara. Kreiser helped bring the Lions back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012 wtih back-to-back Golden Coast Tournament titles and consecutive NCAA Tournament bids in 2025 and 2026.
LMU earned another top-7 national finish in 2026 after completing a third-straight unbeaten season in GCC play, winning their second consecutive Golden Coast Conference Tournament championship, and returning to the NCAA Tournament. The Lions went 23-5 in 2026, leading to 70 wins over a three-year span. After defeating Fresno State with a dominant second half comeback to win the conference tournament in the Bulldogs' home pool, the Lions drew the 3-seed, and eventual national champions USC, in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament.
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. Kreiser helped mentored the GCC Player of the Year Ruth Arino Ruiz, who won the award in back-to-back seasons, ahead of earning his first GCC Coach of the Year honor.
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.
"We are extremely excited to welcome Sarah to LMU," said Aki. "Sarah's experiences in the pool and on deck have allowed her to develop an extensive knowledge base and versatile coaching styles that will help her connect with both current and prospective athletes alike. Her vibrant personality will provide excellent energy to the program, and her diligence and competitiveness will help the program climb the national rankings. I couldn't be happier with the signing, and I know the team and LMU support staff will feel the same way once they begin working with her."
Along with being on the coaching staff at UCSB, Kreiser has worked with Santa Barbara Premier Water Polo Club since 2021, leading both the high school girls and the 14u girls as head coach.
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.
