ERIE, Pa. - The Gannon women's water polo team will host the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Championship April 24-26, at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio. The fifth-seeded Lady Knights begin competition Friday afternoon against second-seed Sonoma State at 2 p.m.
Gannon will compete in its first WWPA Championship after joining the association this season. The Lady Knights enter the five-team championship as the fifth seed. Determined by a vote among the league's head coaches, reigning champion UC San Diego (16-18) enters as the top seed. The Tritons have claimed three of the last four WWPA team titles including the last two. The rest of the field includes second-seed Sonoma State (8-18), third-seed Cal State Monterey Bay (7-15), fourth-seed Cal State East Bay (11-15) and Gannon (3-13).
UC San Diego enters the field with a 16-18 overall mark, collecting six wins over nationally-ranked opponents including a pair of victories against Michigan. Among the Tritons' 34 matches this season, 22 have been played against nationally-ranked squads. The Tritons received votes in the latest Varsity Top 20 Poll.
Second-seed Sonoma State holds an 8-18 overall mark. The Seawolves placed third at last year's WWPA Championship after defeating Cal State Monterey Bay in the consolation match, 7-4. Third-seed Cal State Monterey Bay currently owns a 7-15 overall record, splitting their last four matches to conclude the regular season. Occupying the fourth seed in the field in Cal State East Bay with an overall mark of 11-15, the Pioneers won five straight matches before dropping the last three to close the regular season. Host Gannon holds the fifth seed in the field with a 3-13 overall record, splitting their last two matches.
Third-seed Cal State Monterey Bay will face fourth-seed Cal State East Bay in the first match of the day Friday at noon to open the championship. Fifth-seed Gannon and second-seed Sonoma State conclude the opening day at 2:15 p.m. Saturday's first match will feature the losing squad of match one against the losing squad of match two at 11 a.m. Saturday's second match will include winner of match one versus the winner of match two at 1:15 p.m.
Top-seed UC San Diego will enjoy a two-round bye before playing Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. against the winner of Saturday's second match. The action will conclude Sunday with the consolation round at 10:15 a.m. and the championship at noon.
Gannon is led offensively this season by All-WWPA second-team selection
Alison Cooney (Erie, Pa. / Villa Maria Academy), who has tallied a team-best 35 goals. The Lady Knights' offense is also powered by All-WWPA first-team selection
Shanen Lazenby (Erie, Pa. / McDowell), who has scored 18 goals. Freshmen
Liz Barr (Honolulu, Hawaii / 'Iolani School) and
Francesca Williamson (Chicago, Ill. / Mother McAuley Liberal Arts) each reached double-figure scoring this season. Barr has tallied 15 goals to Williamson's 14. Both Barr and Cooney were named WWPA All-Freshman team honorees.
Junior
Rachel Bednarek (Windermere, Fla. / Olympia) leads the team with 16 assists followed by senior
Janelle McDaniels (Edwardsville, Pa. / Wyoming Valley West) with 13. Lazenby has won 20 sprint-offs this season with McDaniels earning nine.
Defensively, McDaniels has collected a team-best 36 steals. McDaniels is followed by Barr with 29 takeaways and Williamson with 27. Sophomore goalkeeper
Emily Rodriguez (Erie, Pa. / Villa Maria Academy) has started all 16 matches in goal, playing in 504 of 512 minutes. Rodriguez has compiled 135 saves and 39 steals.
General admission tickets are available one hour prior to the start of each day. All tickets are single-day, general admission and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The ticket box office will close at halftime of the final match each day. The cost is $10 for an adult day pass. A day pass for a child under 12 years-old, seniors over 65 years-old or students with a valid student ID will cost $5.
The WWPA will be providing a video broadcast for fans unable to make the trip. A livestream of the match can be viewed for $8 per match courtesy of America ONE Sports.
