FULLERTON, Calif. – The Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) announced on Wednesday, August 27th, the 2025 Preseason Coaches Poll, with McKendree tabbed for fifth place.
Salem University snatched the top spot with 28 points and four of the seven first-place votes after being the conference's automatic qualifier into the 2024 National Collegiate Water Polo Championships. Concordia University Irvine came in at close second with 27 points and the remaining three first-place nods.
McKendree, who received nine points in this season's poll, has been selected within the top-five of the preseason poll in all three years as a member of the WWPA. This will be the first season of the Miguel Figueras era after former Head Coach Colleen Lischwe spearheaded both the men's and women's programs for the past several years before passing away in mid-January last year.
21 Bearcats will represent the team this season, with a makeup of 15 returning players and six newcomers. Notable returners include 2024 ACWPC All-American Honorable Mention and WWPA Second Team All-Conference selection Yannick Robertson, WWPA All-Conference Honorable Mention James Ramey, and WWPA All-Freshman Team selection Joshua Gibson.
2025 WWPA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Salem University | 28 points (4 first-place votes)
2. Concordia University Irvine | 27 (3)
3. Biola University | 20
4. Gannon University | 13
5. McKendree University | 9
6. Fresno Pacific University | 8
*University of California, Merced | N/A
*UC Merced will play a WWPA conference regular season schedule, but is ineligible for WWPA/NCAA postseason official competition due to NCAA Division II transition.
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