WHITTIER, Calif. (Mar. 3, 2025) – The Whittier College women's water polo team got its first win of the year over Pennsylvania's Grove City College on Monday afternoon.
The win comes on the heels of a grueling weekend at the annual Clarmeont Convergence women's water polo tournament. However, when it came to Monday's game, the Poets showed they were game, ready, and in prime position to earn their first victory of the young season. Newcomers
Kayla Arias (Brea, Calif. / Brea Olinda / Fullerton College) and
Paula Fernandez (Barcelona, Spain / Westcliff University) created problems for Grove City in varied ways -- Arias with her shot selection in front of the opponents' net, and Fernandez with her speed in transition. Together, the Whittier duo combined for nine of the Poets' 16 goals as Whittier went on to hold Grove City to just nine.
Both players also picked up multiple assists, feeding Whittier attackers such as
Alexandra Haluska (Brea, Calif. / Brea Olinda / Fullerton College) and
Haley Kivett (Beaverton, Ore. / Southridge). Though shorthanded, Whittier succeeded in taking it to Grove City early and often. They led their opponents 9-3 at the half and were able to cruise thereafter on the back of solid defense. Speaking of defense, goalkeeper
Candace Tezak (La Habra, Calif. / La Habra / Fullerton College) performed well in net with 10 saves against 19 Grove City opportunities. Additionally, junior
Mya Rodriguez, a dual-sport athlete, scored her first tally of the season off a five-meter penalty shot in the fourth quarter.
Head Coach Preslav Djippov and the Poets will hope their momentum continues into SCIAC play, which is set to begin on Wednesday, Mar. 5 against California Lutheran University.
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