LEBANON, Ill. – The women's water polo team will look to begin its back-to-back championship tour this weekend at The Malmsten Invitation, which will be hosted by Arizona State University from Saturday, January 24th through Sunday, January 25th at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center in Tempe, Arizona. 

McKendree will take on T-No.13 University of California, San Diego (2:00 PM CT) and the host No.11 Arizona State (5:45 PM CT) on Saturday for day one of the event, and will close out with T-No.7 Loyola Marymount University (9:30 AM CT) and (RV) California Baptist University (12:00 PM CT) on Sunday for day two. 

All games can be watched live and on demand on Overnght with a subscription purchase required. Live stats will also be provided for fans to view via 6-8 Sports. No tickets are necessary for entry. 

THE PRESSURE IS ON 

The spotlight will be the highest it has ever been for the program after capturing their first-ever varsity conference crown by winning last year's WWPA Championship in Bridgeport, West Virginia after defeating Fresno Pacific University in the semifinals and taking down Biola University in the championship round for the first time in its history. 

Other notable accomplishments from last year included their most wins ever with a 21-8 record overall while garnering their first-ever WWPA Player, Newcomer, and Coach of the Year honors, and capturing the ACWPC Division II Player, Coach, and Assistant Coach of the Year awards. The squad also reached the CWPA Top 25 National Poll for the first time ever, rising as high as 23rd.  

WE'RE BAAAAAAAAACK 

This year's squad will feature 26 players on the official roster, with an exceptional number of them returning from last season's championship squad. There will be 14 Bearcats in the upperclassmen echelon, with four of which are heading into their senior year with the program. 

Headlining the returning production includes the reigning WWPA Newcomer of the year in junior center Bella Morquecho (Chicago, Ill.) after also winning offensive player of the year once and finding herself on the WWPA First Team All-Conference and a spot as an ACWPC Division II First Team All-American. 

Other returners feature a two-time ACWPC All-American and First Team All- WWPA in senior attacker Joey Rebelo (Montreal, Québec, Canada) and last year's WWPA All-Defensive Team honoree senior center defender Allie Diller (Grand Ledge, Mich.). 

LOOKING AHEAD 

After participating in The Malmsten Invitational, the team will take a weekend off before hosting their inaugural Lischwe Memorial Invitational from Saturday, February 7th through Sunday, February 8th at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex in O'Fallon, Illinois. 

Fans can learn more about the upcoming invitational by visiting its TOURNAMENT CENTRAL, which will be updated regularly. 

TUNE IN-FO 

Make sure to keep up with McKendree University Water Polo on Instagram, X (Twitter), and TikTok. #NCAAwaterpolo 

For more updates and information on Bearcat Athletics, please continue to visit McKBearcats.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 
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