RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Jan. 25, 2025) – The Whittier College women's water polo team opened its 2025 campaign at the California Baptist University-hosted Joust Tournament over the weekend. The Poets took on a pair of tough foes in Fresno Pacific University and No. 17 San Jose State University.
Fresno Pacific 22, Whittier 7
The Poets gave FPU fits at different points in the season opener, and the matchup provided an opportunity for several veterans to assert themselves as top contributors in the lineup. All seven of the Poets' goals were scored among three different players, with senior utility
Haley Kivett (Beaverton, Ore. / Southridge) leading all Poets with three tallies. Meanwhile, junior
Alexandra Haluska (Brea, Calif. / Brea Olinda / Fullerton College) totaled a pair of goals and a pair of assists, while newcomer
Kayla Arias (Brea, Calif. / Brea Olinda / Fullerton College) turned in some solid moments at center with two goals and a drawn exclusion.
Sophomore returner
Candace Tezak (La Habra, Calif. / La Habra / Fullerton College) split time in net with transfer
Aubrie Kirkby Tatro (Arroyo Grande, Calif. / Arroyo Grande / Cuesta College). Both players presided over half the game in net and combined for 10 saves.
No. 17 San Jose State 25, Whittier 6
Whittier found it tough sledding against one of the country's elite programs in San Jose State. However, Kivett and Haluska once again led the Poets' offense, combing for four of their side's six goals on the game. Kivett also displayed some excellent vision in attacking sets, delivering on a pair of assists to complete her day. Other Whittier scorers included Arias, along with fellow newcomer
Paula Fernandez (Barcelona, Spain / Westcliff University).
In net, Kirkby Tatro led with six of a possible eight saves, though she also faced more opposition in the second half of Saturday's game.
Head Coach Preslav Djippov and the Poets will be seeking their first win of the young season when they host a Division III foe in Austin College on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 4 p.m.
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