SANTA CLARA, Calif. – A veteran Santa Clara women's water polo team opens the regular season in the Davis Challenge on Sunday.

The Broncos will face Fresno Pacific at 11 a.m. and host UC Davis at 2 p.m.

"We have our largest team in terms of roster size with 25 players, and they have been working together very well," head coach Keith Wilbur said. "I think we have a good mix of upperclassmen with experience and younger players with a lot of energy who are eager to learn. I like how practices have been going, and we are looking forward to playing games this Sunday.

Santa Clara returns 19 players from last season's squad, including 13 who saw action in 10 or more games. Four starters are back from a year ago, including captains Hailey Eberle and Maggie Oys, along with Emma Allegrucci and Lydia Dadd.

"We have eight seniors and I definitely think their experience and leadership will have a big impact on the team," Wilbur said. "It is a very diverse class that has gone through a lot over the past three years. I think they are working very well together and setting a great example for the whole team."

A two-year starter in goal, Dadd totaled 165 blocks, 23 steals and five assists last season.

"I feel great about having Lydia Dadd coming back for her final season," Wilbur said. "She is a very talented goalie, she has a lot of experience, and I think she is coming into this season with a great mindset."

Dadd started in all 24 of her appearances in 2019 while Eberle and Allegrucci started all 27 games. Oys was in the starting lineup in each of her 26 appearances.

Heading into her third season as a starter, Eberle finished second on the team in goals (34), assists (35) and steals (27). Oys, another two-year starter, was third on the team in both assists (21) and kickouts drawn (24), and first in field blocks with 13. Allegrucci was second among Broncos with 46 kickouts drawn.

The Broncos have added six newcomers to the team: Harper Daniels, Malena Nguyen, Abby Fleming, Natalie Brauser, Jamie Robinson and Halley Seed.

"I really like our freshman class," Wilbur said. "They are working hard and very coachable. I can see them building strong friendship very quickly, and I am excited to see how they do this year and over the next four years."

Connect with the Broncos on Social Media
• Athletics: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
• Women's Water Polo: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram