THE SCHEDULE
Match 1
Azusa Pacific (0-0)
Saturday, Jan. 23 • 11:20 a.m.
UCSB Campus Pool • Santa Barbara
Match 2
No. 19 CSUN (0-0)
Saturday, Jan. 23 • 4:40 p.m.
UCSB Campus Pool • Santa Barbara
Match 3
CSU Bakersfield (1-3)
Sunday, Jan. 24 • 9:10 a.m.
UCSB Campus Pool • Santa Barbara
Match 4
No. 13 UC Santa Barbara (0-0)
Sunday, Jan. 25 • 12:10 p.m.
UCSB Campus Pool • Santa Barbara
GET TO KNOW THE 2016 TRITONS
Head coach Brad Kreutzkamp begins his seventh year when the women's water polo team opens its 2016 schedule this weekend at the UCSB Winter Invite. UCSD, ranked No. 21 in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) poll, is coming off a 19-21 season. The Tritons claimed their fourth Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) title in the past five years and earned a spot in the 2015 National Collegiate National Championship tournament where they finished eighth. To check out the roster and read about the Tritons, click here.
WHO'S BACK, WHO'S NOT SNAPSHOT
The Tritons return several decorated players for their 2016 campaign, including three All-Americans. Goalkeeper Courtney Miller, a three-time All-American, three-time All-WWPA and the ACWPC Division II Co-Player of the Year, is back in the cage for her senior season. Miller is currently holds the school record in career (1,131) and single season (402) saves.
The Tritons also return All-American Laurel Kistler who led the team in goals and steals last season with 68 and 64, respectively. All-American Julia Kirkland is also back for UCSD. The attacker currently sits in 10th in the all-time goals scored with 161 and was second on the team in scoring last season with 63 goals. Alexis Wieseler, who had 72 goals in 2013, returns after having her 2015 campaign cut short due to injury. Also set to return are Lauren Boyer, who amassed 44 scores and 24 steals, and Lani Tittle, who compiled 39 goals, 32 helpers and 56 steals, in 2015.
The Tritons did lose a key player in Jolene Guiliana. The former Triton was named an All-American in 2014 and 2015 and was responsible for 58 goals, 56 assists and 47 steals.
TRITONS PICKED TO REPEAT AS WWPA CHAMPIONS
UCSD was picked to capture the WWPA title for the fourth straight time and fifth in the last six years according to the WWPA Women's Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Tritons received five first-place votes for a total of 25 points. Cal State East Bay was picked to finish second after receiving one first-place vote for a total of 20 points. Sonoma State, Cal State Monterey Bay, Mercyhurst and Gannon rounded out the poll in third through sixth, respectively.
FORMER TRITON STAR KIM HOCKETT ADDED TO COACHING STAFF
The Tritons named former standout Kim Hockett as the newest addition to their coaching staff. Hockett was a team co-captain, two-time All-American and the 2008 Division II Player of the Year during her time at UCSD. She graduated in 2008 with two bachelor's degrees in history and religious studies. Hockett was a four-year player for the Tritons (2004-08) as a goalkeeper amassing 635 saves, sixth most all-time. She was a two-time All-Wester Water Polo Association (WWPA) honoree and two-time All-American. During her senior season, in 2008, she compiled 305 saves, currently fifth most for a single season, and took home the Division II Player of the Year Award. Hockett played water polo overseas from 2008-10 for Rillieux (2008-09) in Lyon, France and ASPTT Nancy (2009-10) in Nancy, France.
HEAD COACH BRAD KREUTZKAMP
UCSD head coach Brad Kreutzkamp starts his seventh season leading the Tritons. In his six seasons at the helm, Kreutzkamp has led UCSD to four WWPA championships and four appearances at the NCAA Championship. The Tritons are 129-102 (.558) overall during his tenure. During the 2015 season, Kreutzkamp led his team to its third straight WWPA title and fourth in five years with a 10-8 victory over Cal State East Bay. The Tritons made their fourth NCAA appearance, finishing eighth at the championship. Kreutzkamp came to UCSD as an assistant coach with the women's team in 1999 before joining longtime head coach Denny Harper on the men's staff the following season. Prior to his arrival on the La Jolla campus, Kreutzkamp was the head coach of both the boy's and girl's varsity programs at Grossmont High School from 1996-99.
ABOUT THE COUGARS
Azusa Pacific is coming off a 10-17 overall record last season. The Cougars are led by Alba Espinar, the 2015 Gold Coast Conference (GCC) Newcomer of the Year, who totaled 44 goals, 32 assists and 27 steals and Ashley Taylor who compiled 31 goals, 24 assists and 23 steals. Head coach Julie Snodgrass is in her fifth season at the helm.
SERIES HISTORY
UCSD holds a 2-0 all-time series advantage against the Cougars. The Tritons took down Azusa Pacific 15-8 at the UC Davis Invitational last season with Jolene Guiliana leading the way with six scores.
ABOUT THE MATADORS
CSUN is rated 19th in the latest national rankings. The Matadors are coming off a 15-11 campaign in 2015 and placed third in the Big West Conference. CSUN brings back Marisa Young, its leading scorer from last year with 40 goals, and Kelcie Ferreira who had 29 goals, 26 assists and 48 steals in 2015. Goalie Kiernan Davis had 188 saves and a 7.6 goals against average last season. Marty Matthies is in his second season as the Matadors' head coach.
SERIES HISTORY
The Tritons lead the all-time series against CSUN 11-6. UCSD fell to the Matadors, 8-4, in the regular season game in La Jolla last year.
ABOUT THE ROADRUNNERS
CSU Bakersfield is 1-3 on the season with a win over Sonoma State and losses to No. 9 UC Davis and No. 4 Cal at the LouStrong Memorial Tournament in San Jose. Ashley Paz currently leads the Roadrunners with eight goals. Head coach Jason Gall is in his ninth season at the helm.
SERIES HISTORY
UCSD holds a commanding 20-3 in the all-time series against the Roadrunners. The Tritons narrowly defeated CSU Bakersfield 11-10 in a regular season matchup in Santa Barbara last season. Julia Kirkland led the way with four scores and Courtney Miller had 10 saves.
ABOUT THE GAUCHOS
UC Santa Barbara, the host of the tournament, is ranked 13th in the nation. The Gauchos bring back Camila Schafer and Samantha Murphy who had 36 and 34 goals last season. Head coach Serela Kay is in her second season leading UCSB
SERIES HISTORY
UCSB leads the all-time series with UCSD 30-12. The Tritons narrowly lost to the Gauchos 5-4 in Santa Barbara in a regular season game last season.
GEAR HERE
UCSD Athletics has partnered with Advanced-Online to provide a web-based, on-demand option for UCSD apparel and merchandise. Fans have access to over 600 products that can be processed and shipped within 24 hours. Visit the site at UCSDTritonsGear.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA
UCSD Athletics on Facebook (UCSDtritons)
UCSD Athletics on Instagram (UCSDtritons)
UCSD Athletics on Twitter (@UCSDtritons)
UCSD Athletics on YouTube (UCSDathletics)
Coach Kreutzkamp on Twitter (@UCSDcoachK)
UCSD Women's Water Polo on Instagram (@ucsdwwp)
UP NEXT
UCSD will have next weekend off from competition before hitting the road to take on third-ranked USC in Los Angeles on Friday, Feb. 5 at 5 p.m.
#TritonsRising
