(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 23) – The McKendree University women's water polo team is set for five games this week. The Bearcats face Saint Louis University on Wednesday at 7 p.m. before heading to Bloomington, Indiana for the Hoosier Invite. At the Hoosier Invite McKendree will take on the University of California – Santa Barbara at 11:30 a.m. EST on Saturday, followed by a contest later Saturday night against Harvard University at 5:30 p.m. EST. On Sunday, The Bearcats will play the University of Indiana club water polo team at 11 a.m. EST, then go up against the University of Indiana at 2:30 p.m. EST for the final match of the Hoosier Invite.
 
The McKendree University women's water polo program was accepted into the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) after moving from club to NCAA status for the 2017-18 academic year. McKendree became the eighth member of the WWPA, joining Cal State-East Bay, Cal State-Monterey Bay, Gannon University, Mercyhurst University, Sonoma State University, Fresno Pacific University and the University of California-San Diego.
 
The Bearcats are set for a 21 game season this year after making their debut during the 2017 spring season. The Bearcats won nine matches during their inaugural campaign, which included a 7-1 record against Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Midwest Division foes. McKendree averaged better than 15 goals per match in league play this season. First-year coach Colleen Lischwe was named the 2017 CWPA Midwest Division Coach of the Year after guiding the Bearcats to the championship contest in the CWPA Midwest Division Tournament. McKendree also had a pair of CWPA Midwest Division All-Conference honorees in first-team selection Brianna Mullalley and second-team honoree Catie Young.
 
Wednesday's home contest against Saint Louis University will be live streamed at glvcsn.com/mckendree/ . For information about the Hoosier Invite please visit the Tournament Central page to find live stats and box scores from Saturday and Sunday. McKendree's game against the University of Indiana's club team will not have live stats.