SARATOGA, Calif.– The Whittier College men's water polo team packed plenty of offense into its first tournament weekend of the new season.
 
The Poets picked up three wins across four matches at the Nyquist Invitational, defeating Merced College, San Joaquin Delta College, and Diablo Valley College over two days at West Valley College.
 
Whittier opened the invitational Friday afternoon with a 26-9 win over Merced.
 
The Poets set the tone immediately with seven goals in the opening quarter and continued to build from there. Whittier scored at least six goals in every period, taking a 13-5 lead into halftime before adding 13 more after the break.
 
The 26 goals marked Whittier's highest total of the weekend.
 
Whittier carried that momentum into its second match Friday, rolling to a 24-3 victory over San Joaquin Delta College to close an unbeaten opening day.
 
The Poets returned to the pool Saturday against host West Valley College.
 
Whittier fell behind early and could not erase the deficit in an 18-9 loss. The Poets scored four times in the second quarter and three more in the fourth but were unable to slow the host Vikings.
 
Whittier responded in its final match of the weekend.
 
The Poets closed the Nyquist Invitational with a 23-7 win over Diablo Valley College, giving Whittier three victories in four games at the event.
 
Across its three wins, Whittier scored 73 goals and reached the 20-goal mark in every victory.
 
Whittier now faces a quick turnaround with another road matchup. The Poets travel to Moraga, Calif. on Sunday, September 6, to take on Division I Saint Mary's College. Opening sprint is set for 11 a.m.
 
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