ERIE, Pa. - The women's water polo team will resume conference action as they will take part in the annual WWPA Erie Classic this Saturday, April 5th in a two-game day. Both matches will be at the Hallman Aquatics Center in Erie, Pennsylvania.
The invitational will begin with McKendree facing host Gannon University at 8:00 AM CT. Then, they will wrap up their day with a game against Salem University at 12:00 PM CT.
All contests will be streamed live for free on the WWPA page at team1sports.com/wwpa/. Live stats for all the matches will be on https://www.thefosh.net/; see below for specific destinations.
BEARCATS CURRENTLY
McKendree is coming off a bye week after hosting Carthage College on their senior day to tab the program's 100th win in its nine-year history. The victory has put the team at a season-best in wins with a 18-6 overall record and remains with a 2-0 mark in WWPA play.
Against Carthage, McKendree fired in the game's first nine goals with two coming from sophomore attacker Shanelle Márquez (Madrid, Spain) as the rest were dropped in by a vast array of players. The Firebirds tried to crawl their way back into contention as Bearcat senior goalkeeper Sydney Kane (Kankakee, Ill.) played the second half in the field. McKendree would win convincingly, 15-8. Márquez led all Bearcat scorers with three goals on a perfect three attempts plus a drawn exclusion. Junior attacker Jazmine Sandoval (Westminster, Calif.) followed with a pair of goals on two attempts with an assist. Kane was in the cage for the first 16 minutes of the game where she had eight saves. On the offensive end, she took three shots, got an assist, and drew an exclusion. The senior hit 800 career saves with her performance in the win. Freshman goalkeeper Elizabeth Zurowski (San Antonio, Texas) tallied three saves in 16 minutes of play.
Junior attacker Joey Rebelo (Montreal, Québec) has been on a dominant tear thus far into the season for her squad. The junior leads the team in points (93), steals (28), and field blocks (7). The Montreal, Québec native ranks at the top of the WWPA currently in total goals (3rd – 59), total assists (4th – 31), total points (1st – 90), total field bocks (6th – 7), total steals (2nd – 25), goals per game (4th – 2.5), assists per game (4th – 1.3), and points per game (1st – 3.8). Rebelo is top nationally in total points (9th – 90).
Sophomore center Bella Morquecho (Chicago, Ill.) has also been a force of nature for the Bearcat team on a consistent basis. The sophomore leads the team in goals (62), total shot attempts (124), and drawn exclusions (74). The Chicago, Illinois native ranks at the top of the WWPA currently in total goals (2nd – 62), total points (5th – 65), goals per game (3rd – 2.6) and points per game (7th – 2.7). Morquecho is top nationally in total goals (9th – 62).
Kane remains one of the nation's best cage guardians. The senior is top in the WWPA in total steals (8th – 21), total saves (1st – 263), save percentage (1st – 58.3%), goals-against average (2nd – 8.40), saves per game (1st – 11.-). The Kankakee, Illinois native is top nationally in total saves (1st – 263), save percentage (2nd – 58.3%), goals-against average (5th – 8.40), and saves per game (2nd – 11.0).
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Gannon University | Saturday, April 5th, 8:00 AM CT
Last Matchup: W, 11-7 on 3/15/2025 | RECAP | BOX SCORE
This will be the 17th-ever meeting between the two programs. McKendree has won the past seven matchups to hold a 9-7 lead in the series. Gannon has not been victorious against the Bearcats since 2021.
The Golden Knights are 6-10 on the season with a 1-1 record in WWPA action, which came in their last outing in the WWPA Bearcat Clash on March 15th. They were on a six-game winning streak before McKendree snapped it during the clash.
Salem University | Saturday, April 5th, 12:00 PM CT
Last Matchup: W, 9-7 on 3/15/2025 | RECAP | BOX SCORE
This will be the 12th-ever meeting between the two programs, as McKendree won five of the last six matchups, including the most recent one within the WWPA Bearcat Clash. Salem still holds a 6-5 edge in the series dating back to 2019.
The Tigers are 5-17 on the season. They have lost eight of their last nine games, including going 0-4 in their most recent outing at the Wolverine Invitational which was hosted by the University of Michigan.
TUNE IN-FO
vs Gannon University
WATCH: Click HERE (FREE – WWPA)
LIVE STATS: Click HERE
HISTORY: Click HERE
vs Salem University
WATCH: Click HERE (FREE – WWPA)
LIVE STATS: Click HERE
HISTORY: Click HERE
TEAM GUIDES
TEAM ROSTERS: [McKendree] [Gannon] [Salem]
TEAM SCHEDULES: [McKendree] [Gannon] [Salem]
TEAM STATISTICS: [McKendree] [Gannon] [Salem]
PARTICIPANTS
McKendree University
Gannon University
Salem University
For more updates and information on Bearcat Athletics, please continue to visit McKBearcats.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
#BearcatsUnleashed
