Friday, February 27
Irvine, Calif.
6:00 PM
UC Irvine
vs
Hawai'i
Photo by: Matt Brown
No. 9 Anteaters Host No. 5 Hawai'i, No. 16 UC Davis
February 26, 2026 | Women's Water Polo
GAME NOTES
IRVINE, Calif. - No. 9 UC Irvine continues their home stand and Big West action as they host No. 5 Hawai'i on Friday, Feb. 27 and No. 16 UC Davis on Sunday, March 1 at 12 p.m. at Anteater Aquatics Complex.
ANTEATER TIDBITS
• UCI improved to 5-9 overall and 1-0 in Big West play after defeating UC San Diego on Feb. 20.
• The 'Eaters topped the Tritons, 14-10, in their first conference match up of the season.
• Junior Lauren Hett led the squad with four goals and two assists
• Freshman Michelle Urkov and sophomore Deirdre Murphy each added three tallies for the Anteaters.
• 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.
IN THE RANKINGS
UCI improved to 9th in the latest Collegiate Water Polo Association rankings released on February 25. The 'Eaters climb one spot after notching their first Big West win of the season over the Tritons.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
No. 5 Hawai'i improved to 7-3 on the season after posting a 2-1 record at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, Feb. 13-15. The Rainbow Wahine dropped to Cal, 8-16, on Feb. 13, before defeating UCI, 11-6, on Feb. 14. Hawai'i defeated Fresno State, 11-9, on Feb. 15 to secure the fifth place finish in the tournament. Redshirt sophomore Agatha Weston leads the Rainbow Wahine with 25 goals, followed by freshman Ariadna Temprano Xambó with 21 goals on the season. Junior Daisy Logtens leads Hawai'i in net with over 278 minutes logged and 67 saves.
No. 16 UC Davis improved to 8-9 overall and 1-0 in conference play after defeating UC Santa Barbara, 14-6, on Feb. 21. Sophomore Bridget Miller leads the Aggies in goals with 47, followed by sophomore Sadie Henry with 45 tallies on the season. Senior Sam Yoo and redshirt junior Gianna Nocetti each have 38 goals on the season. Redshirt freshman Eva Stein leads the Aggies between the pipes with 490 minutes and 128 saves.
SERIES HISTORIES
The 'Eaters have fallen to the Rainbow Wahine twice in the 2026 season. The Big West rivals faced off at the Triton Invitational (Jan. 31) where the Rainbow Wahine came out on top in overtime, 16-15. The teams met again at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational (Feb. 14) where Hawai'i triumphed 11-6. The teams met twice in the 2025 season, where both games went to overtime and Hawai'i bested UCI, 18-17, on Feb. 2 at the Triton Invitational, and 16-11 (April 5) in conference play. The Anteaters and the Rainbow Wahine clashed once in the 2024 season, with Hawai'i defeating UCI on April 5, 13-7.
The Anteaters and the Aggies met once in the 2025 season, where UCI came out on top, 17-13 on April 12. UC Davis and UCI met four times in the 2024 season, where the 'Eaters went 4-0. The teams first faced off at Polopalooza (Jan. 21) where the Anteaters triumphed, 15-7, before meeting again at the Triton Invitational (Feb. 4) where UCI won, 11-8. The Anteaters defeated the Aggies in conference play (April 7, 11-9) before besting UC Davis in the Big West Championship (April 26), 9-6.
LAST TIME OUT
The 'Eaters defeated No. 14 UC San Diego in their first Big West match of the season, 14-10, on Feb. 20. Junior Lauren Hett led the way with four goals, while Michelle Urkov and Deirdre Murphy each recorded a hat trick. Chloe Patist added two goals, while Ella Walker recorded nine saves in net.
ON THE ATTACK
The 'Eaters, who are averaging 11.1 goals per contest, have four players with at least 15 goals on the season so far. Lauren Hett leads the way with 38 goals and eight hat tricks, while Madi O'Hara has 23 goals and four hat tricks. Freshman Michelle Urkov is the third leading scorer with 17 tallies on the season. Junior Sara Naulty rounds out the top four with 16 goals for the 'Eaters.
MINDING THE NET
Junior Ella Walker has appeared in 11 of 14 games this season and started for six of those matches. She has logged over 294 minutes in the cage with a 3-5 record. Walker has recorded 70 saves, six steals, and two assists, with a season-high 12 saves against No. 2 UCLA (Feb. 7). Walker owns a 10.44 goals against average and a .422 save percentage. Freshman Annie Peak has appeared in six games, logging 110 minutes in net and tallying 17 saves and eight steals. Freshman CJ Sirls appeared in two games, logging 32 minutes with four saves and one steal. Sophomore Mayezie Loggins has appeared in two games for 17 minutes in net, recording two saves and one steal.
COLLEGIATE FIRSTS
Freshman Sydney Hagan quickly made an impact for the 'Eaters, scoring seven goals in her first weekend of collegiate competition. Her first goal came against San Jose State, where she tacked on two more for her first career hat trick on Jan. 17. She notched her second hat trick in her very next game against Fresno State. Chloe Patist netted her first career goal against No. 5 California on Jan. 18.
WEEKLY ACCOLADES
Junior Lauren Hett notched her fourth career, and first of the 2026 season, Big West Player of the Week Honor on Feb. 25. The attacker led the 'Eaters to their first Big West win of the season over the Tritons behind a six point performance on four goals and two assists.
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.
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 Santa Barbara for a conference match up on Friday, March 6 at 5 p.m.
IRVINE, Calif. - No. 9 UC Irvine continues their home stand and Big West action as they host No. 5 Hawai'i on Friday, Feb. 27 and No. 16 UC Davis on Sunday, March 1 at 12 p.m. at Anteater Aquatics Complex.
ANTEATER TIDBITS
• UCI improved to 5-9 overall and 1-0 in Big West play after defeating UC San Diego on Feb. 20.
• The 'Eaters topped the Tritons, 14-10, in their first conference match up of the season.
• Junior Lauren Hett led the squad with four goals and two assists
• Freshman Michelle Urkov and sophomore Deirdre Murphy each added three tallies for the Anteaters.
• 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.
IN THE RANKINGS
UCI improved to 9th in the latest Collegiate Water Polo Association rankings released on February 25. The 'Eaters climb one spot after notching their first Big West win of the season over the Tritons.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
No. 5 Hawai'i improved to 7-3 on the season after posting a 2-1 record at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, Feb. 13-15. The Rainbow Wahine dropped to Cal, 8-16, on Feb. 13, before defeating UCI, 11-6, on Feb. 14. Hawai'i defeated Fresno State, 11-9, on Feb. 15 to secure the fifth place finish in the tournament. Redshirt sophomore Agatha Weston leads the Rainbow Wahine with 25 goals, followed by freshman Ariadna Temprano Xambó with 21 goals on the season. Junior Daisy Logtens leads Hawai'i in net with over 278 minutes logged and 67 saves.
No. 16 UC Davis improved to 8-9 overall and 1-0 in conference play after defeating UC Santa Barbara, 14-6, on Feb. 21. Sophomore Bridget Miller leads the Aggies in goals with 47, followed by sophomore Sadie Henry with 45 tallies on the season. Senior Sam Yoo and redshirt junior Gianna Nocetti each have 38 goals on the season. Redshirt freshman Eva Stein leads the Aggies between the pipes with 490 minutes and 128 saves.
SERIES HISTORIES
The 'Eaters have fallen to the Rainbow Wahine twice in the 2026 season. The Big West rivals faced off at the Triton Invitational (Jan. 31) where the Rainbow Wahine came out on top in overtime, 16-15. The teams met again at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational (Feb. 14) where Hawai'i triumphed 11-6. The teams met twice in the 2025 season, where both games went to overtime and Hawai'i bested UCI, 18-17, on Feb. 2 at the Triton Invitational, and 16-11 (April 5) in conference play. The Anteaters and the Rainbow Wahine clashed once in the 2024 season, with Hawai'i defeating UCI on April 5, 13-7.
The Anteaters and the Aggies met once in the 2025 season, where UCI came out on top, 17-13 on April 12. UC Davis and UCI met four times in the 2024 season, where the 'Eaters went 4-0. The teams first faced off at Polopalooza (Jan. 21) where the Anteaters triumphed, 15-7, before meeting again at the Triton Invitational (Feb. 4) where UCI won, 11-8. The Anteaters defeated the Aggies in conference play (April 7, 11-9) before besting UC Davis in the Big West Championship (April 26), 9-6.
LAST TIME OUT
The 'Eaters defeated No. 14 UC San Diego in their first Big West match of the season, 14-10, on Feb. 20. Junior Lauren Hett led the way with four goals, while Michelle Urkov and Deirdre Murphy each recorded a hat trick. Chloe Patist added two goals, while Ella Walker recorded nine saves in net.
ON THE ATTACK
The 'Eaters, who are averaging 11.1 goals per contest, have four players with at least 15 goals on the season so far. Lauren Hett leads the way with 38 goals and eight hat tricks, while Madi O'Hara has 23 goals and four hat tricks. Freshman Michelle Urkov is the third leading scorer with 17 tallies on the season. Junior Sara Naulty rounds out the top four with 16 goals for the 'Eaters.
MINDING THE NET
Junior Ella Walker has appeared in 11 of 14 games this season and started for six of those matches. She has logged over 294 minutes in the cage with a 3-5 record. Walker has recorded 70 saves, six steals, and two assists, with a season-high 12 saves against No. 2 UCLA (Feb. 7). Walker owns a 10.44 goals against average and a .422 save percentage. Freshman Annie Peak has appeared in six games, logging 110 minutes in net and tallying 17 saves and eight steals. Freshman CJ Sirls appeared in two games, logging 32 minutes with four saves and one steal. Sophomore Mayezie Loggins has appeared in two games for 17 minutes in net, recording two saves and one steal.
COLLEGIATE FIRSTS
Freshman Sydney Hagan quickly made an impact for the 'Eaters, scoring seven goals in her first weekend of collegiate competition. Her first goal came against San Jose State, where she tacked on two more for her first career hat trick on Jan. 17. She notched her second hat trick in her very next game against Fresno State. Chloe Patist netted her first career goal against No. 5 California on Jan. 18.
WEEKLY ACCOLADES
Junior Lauren Hett notched her fourth career, and first of the 2026 season, Big West Player of the Week Honor on Feb. 25. The attacker led the 'Eaters to their first Big West win of the season over the Tritons behind a six point performance on four goals and two assists.
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.
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 Santa Barbara for a conference match up on Friday, March 6 at 5 p.m.
Players Mentioned
ATTACKER
/ Women's Water Polo
ATTACKER
/ Women's Water Polo
ATTACKER
/ Women's Water Polo
ATTACKER
/ Women's Water Polo
GOALKEEPER
/ Women's Water Polo
CENTER
/ Women's Water Polo
ATTACKER
/ Women's Water Polo
UTILITY
/ Women's Water Polo
DEFENDER
/ Women's Water Polo
GOALKEEPER
/ Women's Water Polo
CENTER
/ Women's Water Polo
ATTACKER
/ Women's Water Polo
GOALKEEPER
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