Water Polo to Compete in Division III
Collegiate National Women's Water Polo Championships
Penn State Behrend's women's water polo team will travel to California for the Division III Collegiate National Women's Water Polo Championships on May 2-4. After taking the win over rival Grove City in Tuesday's game, the team feels excited about traveling to California.
"As a team, the women came together at the end of last year, after losing to Grove City by a goal, and said we wanted to go to Nationals next year," said coach Heynes. "It was nice to see them come together and get to this level. To get this far is important to our team, and the growth of Behrend water polo."
On Friday, May 2, the sixth-seeded Behrend Lions will start round-robin play versus Pomona-Pitzer (#2) at 10:15 a.m. and then battle Claremont-Mud-Scrippts (#3) at 6:45 p.m. Saturday's match will be against Macalaster (#7) at 10:15 a.m. before moving into crossover matches.
Junior goalie Lauren Packer has the highest blocking percentage out of both men's and women's water polo for the school with 52%. Sophomore utility Christine Williams is close to breaking every record that she herself set for the school last year. For the season Williams has 46 goals and 94 steals. Junior Sarah McGarvey follows Williams with 32 goals.
"Being a team that is only three years old, we're hoping to gain some national recognition for Penn State Behrend," explained coach Heynes. "Hopefully, this will bring more media attention to our team and help us to become a stronger."
The blue and white will practice in the Junker Pool Monday through Wednesday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. before departing on Thursday at noon.