LEBANON, Ill. – The women's water polo team will make their home debut this weekend when they host the first-ever Lischwe Memorial Invitational in honor of late Head Men's & Women's Water Polo Coach Colleen Lischwe, who passed away on January 15th of last year. The event will take place at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex in O'Fallon, Illinois from Saturday, February 7th to Sunday, February 8th. 

The Bearcats will take on the University of California, Merced to open up on Saturday with a mid-day 12:00 PM CT bout, and will follow up with their Blackout Game at 5:00 PM CT against DIII RV Carthage College. To close out on Sunday, the team will face their in-state rival DIII No.5 Augustana College for Senior Night with first sprint set for 11:00 AM CT. 

All contests will be streamed live and on-demand for free on the WWPA Network, as live stats will also be provided via The FOSH. Tickets can be purchased at the front entrance of the pool with prices containing $10 day passes and $15 for the whole weekend. 

CLICK HERE to see all the information regarding the Invitational on our Tournament Central Page. 

SCOUTING THE LAST OUTINGS 

The team went up against some of the nation's best programs to sprint off their 2026 season at The Malmsten Invitational, hosted by Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona this weekend. 

The Bearcats fell to T-No.13 University of California San Diego [5-27] and the host No.11 Arizona State [6-24] on day one of the event on Saturday. On day two in Sunday's two matches, McKendree faltered in both, with losses to T-No.7 Loyola Marymount University [10-24] and RV California Baptist University [4-30] to wrap up the weekend in warm weather. 

WHAT IN THE DEVIL? 

In the previous event, junior center Bella Morquecho (Chicago, Ill.) led the charge with nine goals and nine drawn exclusions, as junior utility Hailey Munoz (Murrieta, Calif.) contributed five shots that went in, plus a steal. 

Time was split in the cage with freshman Delaney Judkins (La Grange, Ill.) played two matches, while Freshman Daisy Wetherholt (Malibu, Calif.) played the other two. Each finished with over seven saves and a pair of steals. 

TEAM TOPPERS 

LOOKING AHEAD 

After the Lichswe Memorial Invitational, McKendree will encounter another big test on the road, as they will look to compete in the Midwest Invite, co-hosted by the University of Michigan and Indiana University From Saturday February 14th to Sunday, February 15th at the Donald B. Canham Natatorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

The Bearcats will start off by playing No.16 University of California, Davis and No.15 Michigan on Saturday at 9:15 AM CT and 3:15 PM CT, respectively. Then, they will conclude with Mount St. Mary's University at 9:30 AM CT and T-No.10 Indiana on Sunday. 

All games will be streamed live with a subscription purchase on B1G+ (*with possible change to Overnght*), as live stats will also be provided via The FOSH. No tickets are necessary for entry. CLICK HERE to view the Tournament Central. 

TUNE IN-FO 

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

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