MOUNT ST. MARY'S AT NAVY OPEN at the United States Naval Academy 
Saturday, September 7, 2024 
Mount St. Mary's vs. McKendree (8:00 a.m.); Mount St. Mary's vs. Occidental (1:00 p.m.); Mount St. Mary's vs. Navy (6:00 p.m.) 
Lejeune Hall, Annapolis, Md. 

Sunday, September 8, 2024 
Mount St. Mary's vs. Gannon (10:30 a.m.); Mount St. Mary's vs. Biola (2:15 p.m.) 
Lejeune Hall, Annapolis, Md. 

EMMITSBURG, Md. (9/6/24) - Mount St. Mary's Water Polo returns to the pool to compete at the Navy Open this weekend starting on Saturday, September 7^th at 8:00 a.m. against McKendree. On Saturday, the team takes on Occidental at 1:00 p.m. and then the hosts, Navy at 6:00 p.m. The Mount will continue play on Sunday, playing Gannon at 10:30 a.m. and will conclude play against Biola at 2:15 p.m.

MOUNT UPDATE

The Mount finished with a 7-23 record in 2023 with junior Alexandros Bellesis leading the team in goals scored with 68 while providing 41 assists. Fellow Greek and junior Chrysostomos Valavanis also provided a goal scoring threat in the two-meter line, scoring 67 times last season for the Mount. Another key to head coach Justin Vink's team this season will be sophomore Aaron Tarr, who provided 65 goals and a team leading 50 assists in his freshman season. Sophomore Nate Valentine scored 15 times last year and had a shot to goal percentage of 42% in 26 games played. Fellow sophomore Jack Fox has also been tabbed to have a breakout season for the Mount after taking part in 26 games across last season. With the addition of four new freshman in this year's incoming recruiting class, head coach Vink and his assistant coaches Sara Marin and Emily Diacono have made depth to the team's roster a top priority going into play in September.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS

Of the five teams that the Mount will play at the Navy Open, three teams had a record above .500 last season. Biola and Navy recorded 21-13 and 21-6 seasons respectively with Gannon going 12-10 across their 2023 campaign. Records aside, the Mount has a 2-1 record against Biola with their last victory coming in a 11-9 victory on September 30, 2022. The two other teams that the Mount will play in Annapolis in Occidental and McKendree had sub .500 seasons in 2023, with Occidental going 11-19 and McKendree going 9-14.

ALL-TIME SERIES

Mount St. Mary's is 2-2 against McKendree, 1-5 against Navy, 2-1 against Biola, and 4-4 against Gannon. September 8^th will mark the first meeting of the Mount and Occidental in program history.