Jan. 11, 2013

BERKELEY - The Cal women's water polo team has been picked to finish in fourth place in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Preseason Coaches' Poll.

The Bears, who were 18-9 overall last season and finished in a tie for fourth place in the MPSF standings, return seven starters and feature 10 talented newcomers on the 2013 squad.

Two-time defending NCAA champion Stanford received six of the seven possible first-place votes and was picked to win the conference for the fourth consecutive season. USC earned the other first place vote and was picked second. UCLA was chosen to finish third.

The Bears, who advanced to the NCAA title match in 2011, welcome the return of three-time All-American Emily Csikos, who took last season off to train with the Canadian National team. Fellow All-Americans Breda Vosters and Dana Ochsner also return, along with 2012 All-Newcomer honoree Tiera Schroeder.

Cal opens the season Saturday, January 19 with a doubleheader at Pacific. The Bears' first home match is Saturday, January 26 against Michigan.