Five Broncos Named All-Conference in Women's Water Polo

Posted: Apr 22, 2013

Santa Clara, Calif.- Five Santa Clara women's water polo players have been selected by conference coaches to the All-Conference WWPA team named on Monday. Freshman Julia Peters (San Jose, Calif./ Presentation) was one of two freshmen to make First-Team WWPA All-Conference, while seniors Stephanie Clements (San Carlos, Calif./ Sacred Heart Prep) and Alison Norris (Saratoga, Calif./ Saratoga) and junior Claire Eadington (Corona Del Mar, Calif./ Corona Del Mar) were named Honorable Mention All-Conference. Elizabeth Anderson (Palo Alto, Calif., Gunn) was named to the WWPA All-Freshman Team.

"It is great to have five players earn All-WWPA honors," said Bronco head coach Keith Wilbur. "More than anything, I think it is a reflection on how our team did during the regular season. We went 5-2 in conference games and finished with the No. 3 seed. That was big improvement from last year, and I think other coaches in our conference recognized this when voting."

Peters has had one of the most memorable freshman seasons in recent memory at Santa Clara. Peters leads the team in goals (44) and earned ejections (57) while sharing the team lead with 40 steals on the season. Her 57 earned ejections already places her 8^th all-time in Santa Clara history.

"I am really happy to see Julia have such a strong season after coming back from a medical red-shirt year as a freshman," said Wilbur. "Julia is a very talented player, and she has a great understanding of the game. She is an impact player, and I am glad the conference recognized her as first team All-WWPA. In my 11 years here, this is the first time we have ever had a freshman or red-shirt freshman make first team all conference."

Clements adds an All-Conference Honorable Mention award to her resume as a senior. Clements blocked 175 shots during the regular season while making 20 steals. Clements will likely finish third all-time in blocks in Santa Clara history.

After being named to the All-Conference Freshman team three years ago, Norris was selected All- Conference Honorable Mention for the first time in her career. Norris tallied 29 goals during the regular season while adding 17 assists, 15 steals and earning 15 ejections. She was also third on the team in KO assists.

The 2012 WWPA Freshman Newcomer of the Year, Claire Eadington was the third Bronco to be named to the WWPA All Conference Honorable Mention list. Eadington did it all for the Broncos this season, cashing in 30 goals, 30 assists, 40 steals and drawing 15 ejections. She was one of three Broncos to start every game this year.

Anderson capped an outstanding first year on the Mission Campus by being tabbed to the WWPA All-Freshman team. Anderson was a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the pool. The local South Bay product scored 31 goals while tallying 30 steals and earning 54 earned ejections, second on the team behind freshman Julia Peters. Anderson started all 30 games for SCU.

2013 Western Water Polo Association Women's Water Polo Honors

Player of the Year: Sarah Lizotte (UTL, Jr.) - UC San Diego

Newcomer of the Year: Ariel Arcidiacono (UTL, Fr.) - Colorado St.

First-Team WWPA All-Conference

Melissa Bartow (C, Jr.) - UC San Diego

Alexandra Honny (DR, Jr.) - LMU

Sarah Lizotte (UTL, Jr.) - UC San Diego

Sara Hudyn (UTL, Jr.) - CSU East Bay

Courtney Miller (GK, Fr.) - UC San Diego

Julia Peters (2M, RS-Fr.) - Santa Clara

Shelby Schaefer (ATT, Sr.) - Colorado St.

Second-Team WWPA All-Conference