UCLA, Augustana Head MPSF Men’s Water Polo Coaches Poll
Defending NCAA champion UCLA collected 99 points and nine first-place votes to top the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men’s water polo preseason coaches poll in the conference’s Western Division, released on Tuesday.
With 62 points, Augustana was picked first in the Eastern Division out of seven squads.
UCLA returns 21 players, including national player of the year Ryder Dodd, from the national title team. He joins returning All-Americans Chase Dodd and Peter Castillo from a 26-2 squad.
USC garnered two first-place votes and 91 total points for second in the West. The Trojans were ranked No. 2 overall at the end of last season, with a 23-6 record and its third straight MPSF West title. USC returns Robert Lopez Duart and Bernardo Herzer, both All-NCAA Tournament selections for the NCAA runner-up.
With 82 points, Stanford was third after a 22-5 season. California had 74 points for fourth. The Golden Bears were 12-13 last year.
In the East, Augustana led the way with 62 points. It went 16-7 last year, winning the MPSF East title for the third straight season. The Vikings have won the division in each of their seasons.
Second is Austin College, with 50 points, thanks in part to leading scorer Aidan Wade returning from a 12-9 team. Newcomer Johns Hopkins is third. The Blue Jays were 12-23 last year. Fellow new arrival Connecticut College is fifth, behind Penn State Behrend.
The season begins Aug. 29. Stanford hosts the MPSF Tournament in November, which will crown a pair of champs, and the Cardinal also host December’s NCAA tournament. An MPSF team has won all 33 national titles since the conference was formed in 1992.
MPSF Men’s Water Polo Coaches Poll, West Division
- School, Points (first-place votes), 2024 record; *-indicates new member
- UCLA, 99 (9), 26-2
- USC, 91 (2), 23-6
- Stanford, 82, 22-5
- California, 74, 12-13
MPSF Men’s Water Polo Coaches Poll, East Division
- Augustana, 62, 16-7
- Austin College, 50, 12-9
- Johns Hopkins, 46, 12-23*
- Penn State Behrend, 36, 8-18
- Connecticut College, 26, 7-14*
- Washington & Jefferson, 25, 5-15
- Wheaton College, 14, 0-19
