Women's Water Polo | January 9, 2020

PHILADELPHIA – Women's water polo announced itself on the MAAC stage in 2019 with five conference wins after being polled that preseason to come in last place. The Explorers defied those expectations by finishing fifth. A year later, it is clear that the perception of Tom Hyham's team has changed drastically in the eyes of conference rivals. The MAAC released its 2020 preseason poll on Thursday with La Salle sitting fourth, receiving 51 points, behind only Wagner (77 points), Marist (76 points) and Iona (56 points).
 
Additionally, for the first time in team history, an Explorer has landed on the Preseason All-MAAC Team. Junior Sarah DeFusco got the nod after an impressive 2019 campaign in which she scored 92 goals, third most among conference players. She paced La Salle in points (125), goals and steals (38), finished second in assists (33) and blocks (14) and third in exclusions earned (34). As a result, she made Second Team All-Conference as a sophomore.
 
The Explorers will aim to start the new campaign the way they left 2019: with a win. The first action of the season will be at Kirk Pool as La Salle hosts George Washington on February 1st.

Full poll:

1. Wagner – 77
2. Marist – 76
3. Iona – 56
4. La Salle – 51
5. Virginia Military – 42
6. Villanova - 39
7. Siena – 23
8. St. Francis Brooklyn – 21
9. LIU - 20

Preseason All-MAAC Team:

Sofia Diaz Alvarez - Wagner
Anais Mathes - Marist
Jordan Van Reekan - Iona
Sarah DeFusco – La Salle
Jacqui Sjogren - Wagner
Diana Fernandez - Siena
McKenna Imset – VMI
Carsen Horvatich - Marist