The weekend of February 3-4, 2018, the Tritons Women’s Club Water Polo Team traveled to Davis, CA, to participate in their first competition of the New Year. The Tritons were excited to test the waters even while missing three usual players from the starting lineup.

On Saturday, fresh off the 8-hour drive and 3:00 AM arrival, the Tritons played their first game against Cal State Chico. The Tritons controlled the tides in a close match, finishing the game as victors with a 6-3 scoreline over Cal State Chico. Highlights from the game included goals from a variety of players on the roster, including Camerin “Grami” Cunningham, Kinsey “Kids Meal” Van Deynze, Nelly “Woooaah” El-Sakkary, and two from Hannah “Shrek” Caskey.

The next match-up, against the Washington Huskies, proved a tough battle for the Tritons. After a long game which included testing the waters with different lineups, the Tritons ultimately fell to the Huskies 4-13. Despite the large score gap, the Tritons put up a good fight, with goals coming from Mckenzie “McRib” Nelson, Sara “Lupe” Tran, and two from Caskey.

After a delicious spaghetti dinner, a night of homework, and some good old-fashioned team bonding, the Tritons had an early morning match against the Oakland Masters team. These water polo veterans knocked down the Tritons 1-19. However, that one goal for the Tritons was an ideal catch-and-shoot man-up goal by co-captain Van Deynze off a crisp pass from co-captain Caskey. This match was wonderful practice for the Tritons against some of the nation’s top water polo veterans.

The final match of the weekend was a brutal match between the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos and the Tritons. In a nail-biter, the Tritons fell to the Gauchos 7-9. A crowd of Nor-Cal Triton parents, family, and fans experienced a goal by Nelson, three goals each by both co-captains Van Deynze and Caskey, as well as outstanding performances by both Lian “Brick” Lumada and Jenna “Grandpa” Elder.

The Tritons are excited to head to the University of Arizona on February 24-25 for the first tournament of the CWPA Southwest Conference play with a complete starting lineup for the A team as well as a complete B roster with their own full tournament matchups for the first time ever! The UC Davis Invitational was a perfect sampling of what is to come for the Tritons in their official season.