IRVINE, Calif. – The UC Irvine men's water polo team is ready to jump in the pool and kick off their season.
 
The Anteaters will once again open their season at the Triton Invitational where they will face the likes of Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, No. 2 California, No. 3 Stanford, and Concordia University Irvine.
 
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW FOR 2024

1. TITLE DEFENSE
Last year the Anteaters won both the inaugural Big West regular season and championship titles to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 30 years. Additionally, it was the squads first regular season championship since the 2000 season. In just the second year in the league, UC Irvine looks to defend their title and move on to the national championship tournament for the second straight season.

2. PRESEASON IN THE BIG WEST
Despite a first-place finish in the Big West last season, UC Irvine was picked to second in the league this upcoming year with 21 points, just one point behind the top spot, with two first place votes. Offensive powerhouse Luka Krstic and defensive weapon Jacob Pyle were selected to the preseason All-Big West team.
 
3. POLL POSITION
Speaking of polls, the Anteaters will start the season where they finished last year. In the preseason national CWPA poll, UC Irvine was selected sixth, the highest national preseason ranking for the 'Eaters since the 2012 season. Also, UCI ranks the highest out of all Big West squads with the UC Davis (8th) and Long Beach State (10th) as the only other schools inside the top-10.

4. STAR-STUDDED
UC Irvine returns all six of their all-conference honorees from the 2023 campaign which includes three ACWPC All-Americans. Krstic will lead the attack alongside now sophomores Johann Thrall and Gage Verdegaal. Seniors Tyler Padua and Jack Stevens will continue to help offensively while contributing on the defensive end. Lastly, Pyle will hold down the back line in the cage.
 
5. TOP-RANKED FRESHMEN
In a class of eight newcomers, six true freshmen will be joining the Anteater program. After their last season of work at their respective high schools, UCI brings in a CIF Player of the Year and three CIF First Teamer's. Ethan Spoon out of Huntington Beach High School was named the CIF Division I Player of the Year after earning his team their first sectional title. Keegan McGann was awarded CIF Open Division First Team honors while Maddox McEwen and Cole Francisco were honored on the CIF Division 1 First Team.