(LA JOLLA, Calif., April 29) – The McKendree University women's water polo team earned seventh place after defeating No. 7 seed Gannon University by a score of 15-12 at the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Championships on Sunday.
 
The Bearcats entered the WWPA Championships as the No. 8 seed with a record of 8-14, and 0-4 in the WWPA.
 
McKendree took a 6-3 lead in the first quarter with three goals from senior attacker Sabrina Sherrin, two goals from sophomore attacker Brianna Mullalley, and one from freshman attacker Emily Westlove. The Bearcats continued to pour on the offense scoring three more in the second quarter with two more tallies from Sherrin and one from Westlove. At halftime the Bearcats led the Golden Knights 9-4.
 
Westlove netted two goals in the third quarter along with Sherrin's sixth of the game, but Gannon was able to net four goals and draw closer to the Bearcats. Heading into the fourth quarter McKendree still led Gannon by a score of 12-8. The Bearcats were outscored 4-3 in the final quarter but were able to hold on and bring home the 15-12 victory over the Golden Knights. Westlove, Sherrin, and Mullalley each netted a goal for the Bearcats in the final frame.
 
Sherrin led the Bearcats in scoring with seven goals in the contest. Westlove was close behind with five goals, and Mullalley fired three into the back of the net to help the Bearcats take seventh place in the WWPA in their first season.