SHERMAN, Texas - This weekend, the Austin College women's water polo team will take to the pool for the program's first ever varsity games as the 'Roos travel to Springfield, Ohio to take on Macalester, Wittenberg, Carthage, and Monmouth.
Led by head coach Mark Lawrence, the team will open up the inaugural season on Saturday, March 2 with a 12:15 p.m. game against Macalester, followed by a 4:45 p.m. game against Wittenberg (all times listed this weekend are Eastern). The 'Roos will follow up those two games on Sunday, taking on Carthage at 8:00 a.m. and Monmouth at 11:30 a.m. The historic roster features nine freshmen and one sophomore, Matea Stanisic, and features some outstanding talent from Texas as well as the West Coast.
Valery Piachonkina brings a wealth of talent and experience to the goalie position, having played highly competitive high school and club competition in California. Multiple 'Roos from Texas led their high school teams to the state championship tournament, and players like Brooke Le, Lexi Wong, and Maddi Taylor are all expected to lead the charge offensively. The 'Roos will also be looking for immediate impacts from other members of the program's first-ever recruiting class, including Presely Woods, Shannon Berry, Kendall Katusak, Meghan Barrett, and Alyssa Albers.
There's a sense of confidence and excitement within the program, and the 'Roos will be looking to make some noise in the Collegiate Water Polo Association right from the start as they open up the 2019 season this weekend.