January 18, 2017 | Women's Water Polo
IRVINE, Calif. -- Two-time Olympic gold medalist, Melissa Seidemann, has been added to the UC Irvine women's water polo coaching staff as a volunteer assistant coach, head coach Dan Klatt announced.
"We are extremely fortunate to have Melissa as part of the UC Irvine coaching staff," Klatt said. "Her experiences as an athlete at the highest levels of water polo give her unparalleled knowledge that will enhance the tactical and technical development of the UC Irvine student-athletes."
Seidemann was a member of the U.S. National team that won back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016. As a member of the national team, she also won two FINA World Cups (2010 and 2014), the 2015 FINA World Championship, two Pan American Games (2011 and 2015) and six FINA World League Super Finals (2010-12, 2014-16).
"More exciting than the impact Melissa will have on the student-athletes performance in the pool is the example she provides on a daily basis as a strong independent woman with exceptional character," Klatt continued.
She played professionally for Club Natacio Sabadell in Spain from 2013-2014.
The defender graduated from Stanford in 2013 after a decorated collegiate career. In her first year with the Cardinal, Seidemann was named MPSF Newcomer of the Year as well as All- MPSF first team and All-Freshman Team. As a senior, she received the 2013 Peter J. Cutino Award given annually to the best male and female water polo player. Seidemann finished her career with four ACWPC All-American first-team honors, a NCAA National Championship in 2011, and 239 goals which is tied for first all-time at Stanford.
Seidemann will join her sister Natalie who is a junior on the squad.
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