(LEBANON, Ill., Jan. 31) – The McKendree University women's water polo team will embark on its 2020 season this weekend, Feb. 1-2, at home against Wittenberg University and Lindenwood University. The Bearcats will open with Wittenberg at noon on Saturday and close with Lindenwood on Sunday at 9:00am.
McKendree will look to improve on a program-best 11 wins from last season. The Bearcats enter their fourth year as a program with
Colleen Lischwe entering her third season as head coach.
The Bearcats were selected eighth in the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Preseason Coaches Poll. Last season, McKendree finished ninth at the WWPA Championships.
The Bearcats will return the majority of their roster after graduating just two seniors. Senior
Brianna Mullalley (Chula Vista, CA/Eastlake High School), junior
Emily Westlove (Naperville, IL/Naperville Central High School), and sophomore
Maddy Bolton (Alta Loma, CA/Los Osos High School) will be key returners. Mullalley, the lone senior, scored 65 goals last season and dished out 23 assists. Westlove returns after being named an All-American Honorable Mention. She led the team in goals and assists with 76 and 30, respectively. Bolton played a huge role during her freshman campaign, totaling 35 points with 19 goals and 16 assists.
Sophomore
Isabella Strimling (Brentwood, CA/Heritage High School) is sole goalie this year after making 120 saves last season. She also notched 11 assists and 50 steals. "I am really excited about the progress she has made so far," said Lischwe. "It takes a lot to power through a training on your own and I am confident that Izzy's drive during practices have prepared her both mentally and physically to be the defensive leader on our team."
Freshmen
Delaney Hall (Napoleon, OH/Napoleon High School),
Katelyn Rodrigue (Brentwood, CA/Heritage High School), and
Lindy Justice (Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada/Vimy Ridge Academy) are expected to make contributions during their rookie seasons. Hall will play a role on center defense, Rodrigue will play in the center, and Justice will be key on the counter attack.
The ladies have worked tirelessly throughout the course of their long preseason and I am confident that this group is the most driven and bonded team we have seen in our short history at McKendree. Each individual pushes herself daily and they have all taken to motivating and challenging each other in and out of the pool," said Lischwe. "I am certain that our team will continue to improve as we work through the challenging season schedule and we are starting with a really solid base, looking forward to watching them grow."
After this weekend, the Bearcats will host one more home weekend on April 4-5 against Salem University, Carthage College, Lindenwood University, and Monmouth College.
