No. 8 UC Irvine kicks off the 2026 season at Polopalooza in Fresno, Jan. 17-18. The 'Eaters will face No. 12 San Jose State at 9:30 a.m. before meeting with tournament hosts No. 7 Fresno State at 5 p.m. on Saturday. UCI will then take on No. 10 Indiana at 8 a.m. before clashing with No. 5 California at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. 

ANTEATER TIDBITS
• UCI finished second in the Big West last season with a 5-2 conference record and 15-13 overall.
• The 'Eaters recorded 413 goals in 28 games played in 2025, a new best in single season history.
• UC Irvine has posted a winning record for 20 straight seasons.
• Junior Lauren Hett leads the way as an All-American and first team All-Big West selection. 
• The Anteaters also welcome back All-Big West picks Madi O'Hara and Pippa Heaver.

IN THE RANKINGS
UCI is tied for eighth in the Preseason Collegiate Water Polo Association rankings released on January 14. The 'Eaters were also tied for eighth in the final poll of 2025.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
No. 12 San Jose State posted a 13-13 record in 2025 and welcome back two of the squad's top scorers. Junior Darcy Spark led the Spartans last season 73 goals, 40 steals, and 12 assists and earned an All-America Honorable Mention honor. Sophomore Bridget Cranley finished as the second leading scorer for San Jose State with 41 goals while adding four assists and earning an All-America Honorable Mention selection. The 'Eaters met with the Spartans in 2024 which saw UCI come out on top, 12-4. 

No. 7 Fresno State posted a 14-8 record last season and return three-time All-American senior Hailey Andress. Andress was second on the team with 65 goals, adding 26 assists and 20 steals. The Bulldogs also welcome back junior goalkeeper Ida Tully-Giles who posted a 9-5 record with 104 saves. The 'Eaters last faced Fresno State in 2024 when UCI dropped 4-11 to the Bulldogs. 

No. 10 Indiana finished with a 17-12 record in 2025 and welcome back the team's top two scorers. Senior Louisa Downes led the squad with 56 goals, 29 assists, and 13 steals. Senior Grace Klingler finished second on the team with 35 goals, 33 steals, and 20 assists. The Anteaters haven't faced the Hoosiers since the 2019-20 season where UCI defeated Indiana, 12-7. 

No. 5 California put up a 19-6 record in 2025 and return two of the squads elite scorers. Sophomore Maria Bogachenko finsihed third on the team with 38 goals and earned a MPSF All-Newcomer distinction in her freshman year. Junior Julia Bonaguidi recorded 36 goals to finish as the fourth leading scorer for the Golden Bears. California also welcomes back redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Talia Fonseca who totaled 186 saves and earned an All-MPSF Honorable Mention distinction. The 'Eaters fell to the Golden Bears last season, 10-20. 

PRESEASON HONORS
Junior attacker Lauren Hett was named to the seven-member Preseason All-Big West Team as voted on by the conference's head coaches. Hett is coming of a 2025 campaign in which she led the 'Eaters with 67 goals and 97 points. Last year, she also earned a third-team All-America selection and an All-Big West First Team honor. Hett was also the first player in program history to be named to the watch list for the prestigious Peter J. Cutino award in 2025. 

MINDING THE NET
UCI welcomes back junior goalkeeper Ella Walker and sophomore goalkeeper Mayezie Loggins. Walker appeared in 11 games in 2025, logging 160 minutes in the cage with 60 saves. Loggins appeared in one game for the Anteaters and recorded two saves. UC Irvine also welcomes two new faces between the pipes, freshman Annie Peak and CJ Sirls, who look to have an impact in net this season. 

OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER
With recent rule changes promoting offense, the Anteaters recorded 413 goals in 28 games played in the 2025 season, a new best in single-season history. Last year's squad also averaged 14.8 goals per game, a new single-season record. The 2026 'Eaters aim to build on the offensive momentum generated last season. 

NEW FACES, NEW ROLES
The 2026 roster features eight newcomers this season who look to make an immediate impact. The squad added two goalkeepers, Annie Peak and CJ Sirls, along with center Jess Reagan and defender Chloe Patist. The 'Eaters also welcomed four attackers: Sydney Hagan, Anya Frey, Michelle Urkov, and Marisol Cowles. 

ALL-BIG WEST RETURNERS
The Anteaters return three All-Big West honorees from the 2025 squad.  Lauren Hett was named to the first team, and Madi O'Hara garnered honorable mention distinction. Pippa Heaver was selected to the All-Big West Freshman Team in her rookie season 

UP NEXT
The 'Eaters travel to UC San Diego for the Triton Invitational, Jan. 30-Feb. 1.