IRVINE, Calif. – The UC Irvine women's water polo team kicks off the 2024 campaign at the Polo Palooza tournament with four contests between Jan. 20-21.
 
Week One Notes | Tournament Central
 
OPENING WEEKEND
No. 5 UC Irvine vs. No. 1 Stanford      
Saturday, January 20 | 12:30 PM | Clovis North HS    
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No. 5 UC Irvine vs. No. 4 California         
Saturday, January 20 | 4:30 PM | Fresno State Aquatics Center
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No. 5 UC Irvine vs. No. 18 San Jose State  
Sunday, January 21 | 9:30 AM | Fresno State Aquatics Center
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No. 5 UC Irvine vs. No. 11 UC Davis  
Sunday, January 21 | 12:30 PM | Fresno State Aquatics Center    
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THIS WEEK'S STORYLINES
> UC Irvine opens up the 2024 season at the Polo Palooza tournament in Fresno playing four games over two days
> The Anteaters will face No. 1 Stanford, No. 4 California, No. 18 San Jose State, and No. 11 UC Davis
> No. 1 Stanford finished the 2023 season with a 24-1 overall record and 5-1 in the MPSF en route to their second straight National Championship
> The Cardinal went on a 16-game winning streak to open the 2023 season which was the program's longest overall since 2014
> Stanford is on the hunt for their third straight national championship title, but will have several challenges to overcome as they will be down four of their key players who are away from the squad to train for the 2024 Paris Olympics
>No. 4 California ended the 2023 slate with a 19-10 overall record with a 3-3 mark in the MPSF
>The Golden Bears took a shocking first round exit in the NCAA tournament last season with an 11-9 loss to Princeton
>Cal returns their reigning MPSF saves leader and Cutino Award Watch List member in Isabel Williams for her fifth season
>No. 18 San Jose State finished the previous season with an overall 12-20 record and 0-6 in the MPSF
>The Spartans were defeated in the first round by Stanford, but rallied to take Arizona State to overtime in the consolation match that they ended up dropping 10-9
> No. 11 UC Davis posted a 15-14 record in 2023 and a 3-4 record in the Big West
> The Aggies earned the fifth seed in the Big West Championship but dropped to No. 4 seeded UC San Diego in the final seconds

NOTES
> UC Irvine enters the season ranked 5th in the Preseason CWPA Weekly Poll after their fourth place (tied) position at the completion of the 2023 season
> UCI landed first in the Big West preseason poll and received five first place votes
> Six of the Big West's six teams are ranked and are all in the top 15
> Goalkeeper Faith Tedesco and center Nioka Thomas were selected to the seven-person all-league preseason squad