BERKELEY – The Cal women's water polo program went near and far to bring in a stellar nine-member recruiting class that was announced by head coach Richard Corso on Wednesday.

The Bears signed five student-athletes from the state of California while also inking Elena Xenaki of the Greece National Team. Cal also signed two student-athletes from Illinois and another from Florida.

“The great thing about this class is that it's rich with Californians,” Corso said. “We are the flagship school of the state of California. That's part of our mission – not only athletically but academically. But we also have to take into consideration that it's not just about California It's about the United States, and we are a world university, too.”

Xenaki was a center for the Greek National Team that took sixth place at the 2015 FINA World Championships. Xenaki graduated from high school in May but is taking the year off to train with the Greece National Team as it attempts to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

“I believe that Eleni possesses excellent reading and finishing skills,” Corso said. “She's a bright, young prospect at the international level. Her focus this year is to qualify for the Olympic Games. After that, she'll join our team in the fall.”

The Bears' 2016-17 recruiting class features four drivers – three from California. Jackie Sanders of San Diego is a two-time USA Water Polo All-American Honorable Mention selection and a three-time San Diego Shores Grommet League Player of the Year. She also was selected for the Olympic Youth National Team Selection Camp. Mia Salvini of Laguna Beach was a member of the U.S. Youth National Team and a three-time All-CIF selection. She also was a USA Water Polo Academic All-American. Catherine Wallace is a two-time All-American from Fenwick High School in Oak Park, Ill. while Kristina Garcia played for the prestigious Santa Barbara 805 Water Polo Club and was a USA Water Polo Academic All-American.

“All of the drivers have excellent end-to-end speed,” Corso said. “

The Bears added two centers in their 2016-17 class. Along with Xenaki, also coming to Berkeley is prolific goal-scorer Hannah DeRose from Corona, Calif. She is a two-time All-CIF selection from Santiago High School who also was selected to attend the Olympic Youth National Team Selection camp. DeRose was a 2015 USA Water Polo Academic All-American.

“In the last 10 months, Hannah has improved significantly,” Corso said. “She has a great deal of potential at the next level.”

Cal added one goalie for 2016-17 – Claire McDowell from Ransom High School in Miami, the same school that produced current freshman Sofia Rivas. McDowell is an All-American and a USA Water Polo Academic All-American who has led her high school team to three state championships. She also was picked to participate in the Olympic Youth National Team Selection Camp.

“Claire is an excellent student of the game,” Corso said. “She has a great deal of potential to be an outstanding goalie in the MPSF.”

The Bears also signed two utility players – MacKenzie Davey of San Diego and Lauren Barrett of Winnetka, Ill. Davey has participated in the U.S Olympic Development Program for two years and is also an accomplished surfer and lacrosse player. Barrett is an all-state selection who also has participated in the U.S. Olympic Development Program and was selected to attend the Olympic Youth National Team Selection Camp.

“It's a very diverse class,” Corso said. “Every player that we've signed this year has a different set of skills.”

The Bears will also be adding one new member to the team in 2016-17 – Emma Wright of Lindsay, Ontario. Wright signed a National Letter of Intent with Cal last year but deferred her enrollment until next fall so she could train with the Canadian National Team in preparation for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Wright has played in numerous international tournaments for Canada.