WWPA Digest: East Region’s top seed on the line this weekend in West Virginia
The final week of regular-season competition has arrived for the East Region of the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA).
Salem (2-0 WWPA) currently holds the advantage in the standings and will look to clinch the number one spot as it hosts the Salem Invitational starting on Friday. McKendree (1-1 WWPA) travels to West Virginia with a chance to challenge for the top seed, while a Gannon (0-2 WWPA) sweep might just complicate everything.
In the West Region, Biola and Concordia continue to set the pace following strong road performances in Central California. Biola (4-0 WWPA) remains undefeated in conference action and holds sole possession of first place, with Concordia (3-1 WWPA) sitting close behind in second. Cal State Monterey Bay (4-2 WWPA) recently picked up a pair of victories, including a commanding 18-3 win over Fresno Pacific on Tuesday, to maintain its position.
Fresno Pacific (1-4 WWPA) previously secured its first conference victory of the season last week, while UC Merced (0-5 WWPA) will look to find its footing on the road this weekend after a demanding four-game conference homestand.
As the regular season winds down, both regions are battling for critical seeding ahead of the 2026 WWPA Women's Championship.
2026 WWPA Women's Championship
Tournament Central
April 10-12, 2026
William Woolett Jr. Aquatics Center | Irvine, Calif.
Hosted by Concordia University Irvine
WWPA Network
WWPA matches hosted by conference schools are streamed live on thewwpa.com.
Around the WWPA
Biola (7-15, 4-0 WWPA)
Last week: 2-0; W at Fresno Pacific, 19-5; W at UC Merced, 16-2.
Biola maintained its grip on first place in the West Region by securing a pair of commanding conference victories. The Eagles opened their weekend with a decisive 19-5 win over Fresno Pacific, marking their largest margin of victory in the all-time series between the two programs. Gwendolyn Pidd led the offensive charge with five goals, while Stephanie Rodriguez added a hat trick. The momentum carried into Saturday as Biola dominated UC Merced, 16-2. Goalkeeper Fernanda Luna delivered a standout performance against the Bobcats, stopping a career-high 21 shots to anchor the defense, while Pidd contributed another four goals to secure her fourth straight hat trick. On Wednesday, a five-goal unanswered run helped the Eagles eclipse Azusa Pacific, 13-11.
Next up: Hosts Fresno Pacific and UC Merced on back-to-back days this weekend.
Cal State Monterey Bay (11-14, 4-2 WWPA)
Last week: 1-0; W at UC Merced, 12-7.
CSUMB bounced back into the win column and snapped a two-game conference losing skid with back-to-back wins over UC Merced and Fresno Pacific. Against the Bobcats, Tthe Otters faced a tight battle early on and trailed 4-3 after the first quarter, but they quickly responded by outscoring the Bobcats 5-1 in the second period to take control. Nalani Galindo was a key catalyst for the offense, registering a hat trick to help secure the win. Katie Rudis and Kaya Eaton also provided crucial support, each netting a pair of goals. Six points from Olivia Gutierrez and five from Stella Martin lifted CSUMB over FPU, 18-3.
Next up: The Otters visit Biola (Apr. 1) and Concordia (Apr. 3) next week.
Concordia (14-9, 3-1 WWPA)
Last week: 2-0; W at UC Merced, 12-5; W at Fresno Pacific, 19-3.
CUI enjoyed a dominant weekend on the road, securing a pair of convincing victories over West Region opponents to build its conference resume. The Golden Eagles set the tone early on Friday, jumping out to a 5-1 first-quarter lead before cruising to a 12-5 win over UC Merced. Mia Hueston fueled the attack with four goals, while goalkeeper Jaden Soto anchored the defense with six saves. Concordia continued its strong form on Saturday, shutting down Fresno Pacific in a 19-3 victory. The Golden Eagles utilized a balanced attack to generate 19 goals on 27 shots, ensuring they returned home with plenty of momentum.
Next up: The Golden Eagles host UC Merced on Mar. 27 and Fresno Pacific on Mar. 28.
Fresno Pacific (6-16, 1-4 WWPA)
Last week: 1-2; W at UC Merced, 9-6; L vs. Biola, 19-5; L vs. Concordia, 19-3.
FPU experienced a busy week that was highlighted by capturing its first WWPA victory of the season. The Sunbirds traveled to UC Merced on Wednesday and emerged with a 9-6 win, propelled by a four-goal effort from Emma Cook and a hat trick from Dakota Lambert. However, Fresno Pacific faced a challenging slate over the weekend. The Sunbirds dropped conference matchups to front-runners Biola (19-5) and Concordia (19-3), despite strong efforts from Maggie Cook and Sofia DeRollo. The 'Birds suffered and 18-3 loss to Cal State Monterey Bay on Tuesday.
Next up: The Sunbirds travel to Biola (Mar. 27) and Concordia (Mar. 28).
Gannon (7-8, 0-2 WWPA)
Last week: Did not compete.
The Golden Knights sped past Grove City, 17-9, on Mar. 25 behind Molly Fehr's six goals. Freshman Maria Martinez and sophomore Brigid Carmody each logged hat tricks. Izabella Trunzo made 12 stops in the cage. The Golden Knights have won five of their last seven contests heading into the Salem Invite.
Next up: Gannon takes on Salem, McKendree, Mercyhurst and Saint Francis during Mar. 27-29's Salem Invite.
McKendree (8-14, 1-1 WWPA)
Last week: Did not compete.
The Bearcats enter the Salem Invitational on a three-game winning streak following the WWPA Erie Classic. Joey Rebelo had 11 goals and nine assists to go along with eight steals, two drawn exclusions while shooting .647 at the Classic. Maisie Mattocks had eight goals and two assists. Bella Morquecho drew 11 exclusions and Dylan Murphy tallied 11 steals.
Next up: McKendree takes on Salem, Gannon, Mercyhurst and Saint Francis during Mar. 27-29's Salem Invite.
Salem (10-6, 2-0 WWPA)
Last week: Did not compete.
Salem took control of the East Region standings by sweeping all four of its matches at the WWPA Erie Classic. The Tigers secured conference wins over McKendree (15-13) and host Gannon (17-10), fueled by nine combined goals from Lucy Bramwell and Courtney Repinz against the Bearcats. Salem also picked up comfortable non-conference victories over Penn State Behrend and Mercyhurst, supported by strong performances from goalkeepers Kristen Hemmila, Morgan Fenner, and Lorelai Weaver. SU has won five in a row and seven of its last nine.
Next up: The Tigers host the Salem Invitational on Mar. 27-29.
UC Merced (2-16, 0-5 WWPA)
Last week: 0-4; L vs. Fresno Pacific, 9-6; L vs. Concordia, 12-5; L vs. Biola, 16-2; L vs. Cal State Monterey Bay, 12-7.
The Bobcats navigated a demanding week of conference play, hosting four West Region opponents during a busy homestand. The Bobcats opened the stretch with a competitive 9-6 loss to Fresno Pacific, where Kiryn Wicker and Makayla Hemphill each scored twice. UC Merced then faced tough setbacks against Concordia (12-5) and Biola (16-2) as the weekend progressed, though Claudette Asenjo and Wicker continued to pace the offense. The Bobcats closed out the weekend with a strong start against Cal State Monterey Bay on Senior Day, taking an early lead before ultimately falling 12-7. Goalkeeper Makenzie Royal provided a bright spot in the finale, turning away a career-high 13 shots to anchor the defense.
Next up: The Bobcats travel to face Concordia on Mar. 27 and Fresno Pacific on Mar. 28.
WWPA Offensive Player of the Week
Biola sophomore attacker Gwendolyn Pidd earned her second WWPA Offensive Player of the Week honor after a highly efficient scoring week in Central California. Pidd poured in nine goals on just 12 shots (.750) across a pair of conference road victories over Fresno Pacific and UC Merced. Against FPU, she netted five goals on six shots (.833) while adding an assist and drawing two exclusions. She followed up with another four goals on six shots (.667) and a steal in a 16-2 victory over UC Merced, securing her fourth consecutive hat trick and helping the Eagles remain undefeated in WWPA play. Pidd's 46 goals are tied for third-most in the WWPA.
Nominees: Kiryn Wicker, UC Merced; Alexa De Villiers, Concordia; Gwendolyn Pidd, Biola; Alex Harris, Cal State Monterey Bay
Jan. 12-18, 2026: Stella Martin, Cal State Monterey Bay
Jan. 19-25, 2026: Bella Morquecho, McKendree
Jan. 26-Feb. 1, 2026: Gwendolyn Pidd, Biola & Mia Hueston, Concordia
Feb. 2-8, 2026: Courtney Repinz, Salem
Feb. 9-15, 2026: Amber Lewis, Concordia
Feb. 16-22, 2026: Maria Martinez, Gannon
Feb. 23-Mar. 1, 2026: Shanelle Márquez, McKendree
Mar. 2-8, 2026: Olivia Gutierrez, Cal State Monterey Bay
Mar. 9-15, 2026: Courtney Repinz, Salem
Mar. 16-22, 2026: Gwendolyn Pidd, Biola
WWPA Defensive Player of the Week
Biola goalkeeper Fernanda Luna was named WWPA Defensive Player of the Week for the second time during her freshman campaign. The native of Leon, Mexico, amassed 28 saves across two conference matches while allowing just seven total goals. Luna posted a career-high 21 saves and a stellar .913 save percentage in a 16-2 win over UC Merced, adding an assist and two steals. She had seven saves across 24 minutes in the win over Fresno Pacific. Luna's 148 total saves are second-most in the conference.
Nominees: Makenzie Royal, UC Merced; Fernanda Luna, Biola; Marissa White, Cal State Monterey Bay
Jan. 12-18, 2026: Marissa White, Cal State Monterey Bay
Jan. 19-25, 2026: Marissa White, Cal State Monterey Bay
Jan. 26-Feb. 1, 2026: No nominees
Feb. 2-8, 2026: Dakota Lambert, Fresno Pacific
Feb. 9-15, 2026: Tiffani Hunter, Concordia
Feb. 16-22, 2026: Fernanda Luna, Biola
Feb. 23-Mar. 1, 2026: Jaden Soto, Concordia
Mar. 2-8, 2026: Jaden Soto, Concordia
Mar. 9-15, 2026: Delaney Judkins, McKendree
Mar. 16-22, 2026: Fernanda Luna, Biola
2026 WWPA Preseason Poll
1. McKendree 39 (4)
2. Concordia 36 (3)
3. Biola 33
4. Cal State Monterey Bay 19
5. Fresno Pacific 16
6. Salem 14
7. Gannon 11
*UC Merced
*UC Merced will play a WWPA conference regular season schedule, but is ineligible for WWPA/NCAA postseason official competition due to NCAA Division II transition.