No. 1 California Polytechnic State University to Open Defense of Division & National Title this Weekend

BRIDEGPORT, Pa. -- If the old adage of "To be the best, you must beat the best" is true, then the Mustangs of California Polytechnic State University will be in for a dog-fight all season as the defending Pacific Coast Division and 2008 National Collegiate Club Championswill open defense of its crowns on Saturday, January 31 to Sunday,February 1 at home in the first Pacific Coast event of the year.

The weekend will feature one of the new season's biggest games as Cal Poly will take on No. 4 nationally ranked the University of California-Los Angeles at 2:00 p.m. on January 31, while UCLA will take on No. 18 the University of California-San Diego at 11:20 a.m. on Sunday.

A brief overview shows that the Mustangs, Bruins and Tritons will not be the only challengers for the division championship this year:

University of California-Irvine
Entering its’ second season as a member of the Collegiate Water Polo Association, the University of California-Irvine under head coach Daniel Blyskal will look to improve on the program’s sixth place finish in the Pacific Coast Division last year.

No, 4 University of California-Los Angeles “A”
Following back-to-back second place finishes, UCLA is eager to win the Pacific Coast Division title in 2009. Led by 2008 All-America standouts Catrina Gallardo and Adele Young, the Bruins will also turn to captains Kelli Bouman and Jenni Marchisotto to lead a team which will field its’ entire 2008 roster for another season. Overall, the Bruins will have three All-Conference players back as Gallardo and Young were named to the first team, while Bouman garnered second team accolades. After finishing sixth at last year’s National Collegiate Club tournament, UCLA is hungry to take it all this year at the 2009 tournament hosted by UC-Davis.

University of California- Los Angeles “B”
A group of up and coming young players, UCLA “B” will seek to improve on last season’s seventh place finish in the Pacific Coast Division.

No. 18 University of California-San Diego
Founded in 2004, the University of California-San Diego established a reputation as a strong team last year by placing thrid in the Pacific Coast Division. An active member of the CWPA the past two seasons, the Tritons lost only two games last year, knocking off teams like UCLA and USC. Comprised of players of all skill levels, the team will welcome many talented freshmen as well as strong players like Erin Choi, Leilani Gilpin and Kristen Langford. Overall, four All-Conference players will take to the pool for the Tritons in 2009 as first team selections Christel Smith and Whitney Landgrebe, in addition to second team picks Casey Armstrong and Choi, will key UC-San Diego in their quest for the program’s first division title.

No. 1 California Polytechnic State University
The defending national champion, Cal Poly is looking to continue being a competitive force at the highest echelon of play. Led by Dirk Camilli, who will be assisted by first team All-America selection Brandon Ross, the Mustangs have appeared in six of the past seven national title games, including the 2007 and 2008 title tilts. A four-time national championship program (2003-05, 2008), Cal Poly will once again field an all-star lineup with four All-Pacific Coast players and two All-America selections back in the pool for another run at the championship. Despite losing two-meter defender Colleen Scheitrum and goalie Jenny Austin to graduation, both All-America selections a year ago, the Mustangs will turn to their returning stars to lead the squad. Highlighting the list of stars is 2008 National Player of the Year, All-Pacific Coast first team selection, National Collegiate Club Championship Most Valuable Player and Pacific Coast Division Most Valuable Player Sarah Ur who will be aided in her efforts by All-Conference second team goalie Hayley Chilton, and fellow second team selections Erika Bigbie and All-America third team honoree Roxanne Eastwood. In addition, watch for Greta Carroll and Kelley Gause to factor in Cal Poly’s title hopes. Due to a large incoming freshmen class, the Mustangs will look to newcomers to fill in the gaps on the team. Relying on their strong work ethic and astute teamwork, the squad is primed and ready to remain a major threat in the 2009 season.

Loyola Marymount University
A newcomer to the league, Loyola Marymount University is excited to finally be playing in the league following three years as strictly a recreational club. Hailey Peterson, the team’s lone senior, will lead the defense from the cage, while Kaleigh Gaynor will guide the offense as the squad’s two-meter player. A team of newcomers to the sport of water polo, plus girls who have played in high school, LMU expects to have fun and do their best in each game.

Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University comes into the season with 13 new players, almost doubling the number of players from the 2008 team which placed fifth in the Pacific Coast Division. Led by first-year coach Dane Benham, Pepperdine is excited for the new season and the bright future of the program.

San Diego State University
A first-year program with the Collegiate Water Polo Association, San Diego State University maybe entering its first competition in the league, but the core players have been practicing together for the past year. Junior Brittain Euwema, an experienced player with a semester of competition on the SDSU varsity team, will be a player to watch, while club president Allison Chico played two years at Orange Coast College where she was the team captain. On the deck, seasoned coach Sean Green will draw up the plays.

University of Southern California
The University of Southern California will compete in its second consecutive season with the league following a short hiatus. The Trojans placed eighth in the Pacific Coast Division last season.