Cuesta Women's Water Polo shall open the 2023 season at home with the Central Coast Classic this Friday and Saturday.  The nine-team tournament shall run all day this Friday and Saturday. The Cougars are one of six 2022 playoff teams in the event, including CCCAA Final Four participants West Valley and Santa Barbara City.  Games will begin on Friday (8 AM) and Saturday (7 AM), with Cuesta opening against Diablo Valley (10:20) and West Valley (3 PM) on Friday.  On Saturday, Cuesta plays Western State Conference for Santa Barbara City (10:30) in a non-WSC contest, before closing against Fresno City (3:10) in the event's finale.  The Cougars have also added a non-conference pre-tournament game against eight-time State Champions Golden West on Thursday (1:30)

The Cougars finished 14-15 last season but snuck into the playoffs after taking 3rd place in the Western State Conference Tournament.  The Cougars return all-State Driver Chloe Porter and 2022 all-Western State Conference First Team Defender Ryan Rascon, along with all-WSC Second Teamer Presley Acosta.  The veteran trio will be buoyed by Second-year Head Coach Rachel Gruetzmacher's first recruiting class.  Freshmen Maddie Corrigan, Sydney Gills, Hannah Kempf and Leanna Reed all earned their team's MVP honors as preps and should step right into prominent roles on the squad and battle for a spot in the starting line-up.  Fellow newcomers Riley Martin and Isabella Nemling came in less heralded but are already looking to earn a spot in the rotation, while Returner Anisha Arellano, who returned to the sport after a long layoff, is back for a second season.  Freshman Aubrie Kirkby Tatro has claimed the starting spot in the goal and is poised for a big freshman year.   

TOURNAMENT BRACKETS