WHITTIER, Calif. (Apr. 5, 2025) – Sophomore center Kayla Arias (Brea, Calif. / Brea Olinda / Fullerton College) of the Whittier College women's water polo team had a game for the ages against the University of La Verne this past weekend. The talented Fullerton College transfer notched eight goals for of the greatest single-game performances in school history as the Poets fell to the Leopards in a closely-contested affair.

Arias shouldered the load in front of the Leopards' net, drawing as many exclusions out of La Verne as she had goals. The incredible showing puts her over 50 for the season, and while she still has a bit to go to put her 2025 season among the best in the history of the program, she has established herself as a cornerstone player for the program in the years to follow. As for the women's water polo team, the Poets showed they could compete with the likes of La Verne, jumping out to a 4-3 lead behind the strong play of Arias and others.

Given the sophomore's propensity to draw exclusions out of the Leopards, it didn't take long for the game to take on a more physical nature. That burden eventually wore on the Poets, but not before they were able to give a good account of themselves in their home pool. Junior Paula Fernandez (Barcelona, Spain / Westcliff University) tee'd Arias up for goals on three separate occasions, while talented senior Haley Kivett (Beaverton, Ore. / Southridge) added two assists herself. Both Fernandez and Kivett also scored once, together with Arias comprising Whittier's 10 goals for the game.

Head Coach Preslav Djippov and the Poets will be back on the road on Wednesday, Apr. 9 when they travel to SCIAC contender Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges for a 7 p.m. game.

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