Jan. 19, 2007

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara women's water polo team has been selected to finish third in the Western Water Polo Association as chosen by the WWPA coaches in their preseason poll. Santa Clara earned 110 points, edging out UC San Diego by five points, and coming in 16 points behind Loyola Marymount, who was second. After another strong campaign in 2006, Santa Clara has their eye on the conference title in 2007.

"We are very happy to be picked third," said head coach Keith Wilbur. "But I still think that the top four teams are capable of beating each other. Our goal is to move up in our conference, and to win. We are definitely within range."

Wilbur's squad has been consistently improving over the past few years. The Broncos finished in third place in 2006 with a record of 25-8 overall, earning Wilbur WWPA Coach of the Year honors. The Broncos are looking forward to another strong season as they look to upset conference powerhouses Loyola Marymount and UC Davis.

UC Davis, who defeated LMU last year in the conference championship, was tabbed by WWPA coaches to win again this year, collecting 129 total points and seven first place votes. Loyola Marymount, the five-time running champion before last season's upset, took a close second in this year's poll with 126 points and the remaining five first place votes. UC San Diego, whom the Bronocos outlasted in 2006 were projected to finish right behind the Broncos in fourth place, earning 105 points.

The water polo season begins for the Broncos on Saturday, January 27 when they take on San Jose State in San Jose, Calif.