EMMITSBURG, Md. (January 26, 2024) – The fourth season of women's water polo for Mount St. Mary's University begins with four games at Villanova University. In addition to the host Wildcats, the team faces Mercyhurst, Gannon, and Iona.
THE 2024 MOUNTAINEERS
Featuring a roster of 21 student-athletes, this year's team is comprised of 17 returners and six newcomers. All the first-year players are freshmen.
Ana Luisa Cotta returns for her senior season and is one of five members of the inaugural team participating in their fourth year with the team, joined by
Madison Szczublewski,
Mara Davis,
Emily Van Kerckhove, and
Riley Thompson.
The team carries a veteran presence altogether, but the goalkeeping end has experienced some turnover. Third-year team member
Hannah Keyser ascends to the starters' position after 17 career games as a backup.
Olivia Fernie comes over from Australia to don cap 1A in her initial year.
In terms of the freshman class, the players arrive in Emmitsburg from all parts of the United States and
Anita Radaelli from Italy joins Fernie as an international player.
Emily Myers went to Pennridge outside Philadelphia – the same high school as Keyser and junior
Hannah Sayre.
Kailee Viers comes from California,
Breanna Wood from Florida, and
Taylor Wilson from Michigan.
MAAC PRESEASON POLL
In a poll released January 18 by the league, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) vote by the coaches placed the Mount sixth with a total of 35 points.
SCHEDULE
Last month,
the team announced its schedule featuring 29 contests in tournaments across the country. MAAC games begin on March 15 with the team's lone home dates two weeks later.
2023 YEAR IN REVIEW
The first season in the MAAC for the team was a positive one, finishing with an overall record of 15-11 and a 7-6 mark in the league. This gained them entry to the postseason tournament as a #5 seed, where they faced Iona in the first round.
Leading scorers
Annefleur ten Bloemendal and Cotta received Second Team All-MAAC recognition after tallying more than 50 goals last year.
Robyn Currie led in assists and Cotta led in steals.
LOOKING AHEAD
February 3-4, the Mount plays four games at an invite hosted by VMI. Repeat contests with Gannon and Mercyhurst are on offer, along with games versus McKendree and Toronto.
