OAKLAND, Calif. The Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) released their 2022 preseason poll as voted on by the league's head coaches on Wednesday. Santa Clara was picked to finish fifth with a total of 33 points.
Defending conference champion UC Davis is the preseason favorite with a maximum 64 points and eight first-place votes. The full list is as follows:
1. UC Davis - 64 (8)
2. UC San Diego - 53 (1)
3. California Baptist - 49
4. Loyola Marymount - 48
5. Santa Clara - 33
6. Air Force - 32
7. Concordia - 21
8. Fresno Pacific - 14
9. Biola - 10
The Broncos are coming off a 13-16 overall mark last season that including a 2-6 record in conference play. Santa Clara finished the year on a high note with a thrilling overtime win over Air Force in the WWPA Championship Tournament. Zach Fales earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team and was one of two Broncos to earn all-conference honors along with Cody Ferguson. Ferguson was a second team selection while Fales found himself on the all-freshman team.
Santa Clara gets their 2022 season underway this weekend with a short trip to Saratoga to take on San Jose State at West Valley College on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 11:30 a.m. PT.
