UC San Diego

Head Coach Larry Sanders begins his tenth season as head coach of the UC San Diego women’s water polo team in 2009. He first joined the UCSD staff in 1993, serving as the men’s water polo assistant coach and director of the team’s recruiting efforts. In nine seasons at the helm of the highly successful UCSD women’s water polo team, Sanders has led the Tritons to a 168-138 record, with a WWPA Championship in 2000 and three runner-up finishes.

Sanders took over the team during an exciting time for women’s water polo. UCSD had established itself as one of the nation’s top teams, winning five national championships from 1986 to 1994. But in 2000, the NCAA officially recognized women’s water polo as a championship sport, providing Sanders with new opportunities and challenges never before presented to the team. While water polo continues to be added as an NCAA sport at more and more institutions, Sanders has done an outstanding job maintaining UCSD’s level of national prestige.

Sanders was selected Division II coach of the year in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 while he also was the WWPA Coach of the Year in his rookie season. His Tritons have also boasted 28 All-Americans since the move to Division II, including six Player of the Years (Emma Kudritzki in 2002, Dana Tucker in 2003, Tobi Lyman in 2005, Kaitlin Foe in 2006, Sarah Bajorek in 2007 and Kim Hockett in 2008).