Cuesta Women's Water Polo has moved their season-opening Central Coast Classic Tournament, which began in 2002, back a week and will open the 2024 campaign on the road for the first time since the program's third season. In the program's first three years the team premiered in Mission Viejo at the Saddleback Tournament but will go the opposite direction this year. The Cougars head North and are set to play four games at the Marin Tournament this Friday and Saturday. The host Mariners, after almost two decades without a program, celebrated their return to competition by hosting the 2023 CCCAA State Championships and established themselves as a statewide venue. Last year, Cuesta reached the post-season for the second time under Coach Rachel Gruetzmacher but did not join the Cuesta men's team at the State Finals in Marin. This year, Gruetzmacher's squad is prepped to earn the program's a sixth straight playoff berth and for the first time will compete with only Greutzmacher's recruits.
The Cougars return four players from their 2023 squad, including three all-Western State Conference selections back from last year's playoff run. Cuesta's defense is expected to be strong with a pair of all-WSC Second Teamers, Hannah Kempf and Aubrie Kirkby Tatro, guarding the goal. In 2023, Kempf led the Cougars with 51 steals and will be matched against the opponents' top scorers. She can also contribute on offense, where she scored 21 goals and dished out 29 assists as a freshman. Kirkby Tatro was in the nets for 110 of the Cougars 112 quarters in 2023 and compiled 223 saves on the season, which earned her a spot on the Cougars' all-time Top 10 for both a season (#10) and a career (#9). Cuesta also brings back all-WSC Honorable Mention pick Maddie Corrigan and returning Starter Sydney Gills. Corrigan stepped right into a starting role as a freshman and was 4th on the team with 26 goals, while also adding 20 assists. Gills was instant offense for Cuesta. She scored 17 goals in just 18 games, including seven starts, while finishing second on the team with a 51.5 shooting percentage.
Cuesta has also brought in a strong recruiting class that can complement the Cougars' returning core.
Freshmen Ryder Gangemi and Annika Pauschek shall be expected to hold down the center of the offense with Gills. Gangemi was a three-time all-League selection at Saratoga High School, while also being selected as the Falcons Female Athlete of the Year. Pauschek starred at nearby Atascadero High, where she was a two-time all-Mountain League selection and two-time MVP for the Greyhounds. On the perimeter, Amelia Braun, Alyssa Vasquez and Adelyne Merritt also boast all-League credentials. Braun, who was a three-time all-League selection, helped take Grossmont High in San Diego County to a CIF Title game. Vasquez was accorded all-League honors for Selma High and is regarded as one of the team's strongest shooters. Merritt was tabbed Porterville High's Most Valuable Player, while her brother Ethan Merritt is also an all-Conference returner for the men's team.
Gruetzmacher recruiting class also has a lot of quality depth. Freshman Kelly Churchill is noted as a tough defender and helped lead Nordhoff High back-to-back CIF Playoff berths. Like both Pauschek and Coach Gruetzmacher, Ana Garcia-Delgado is a product of Atascadero High. She returns to water polo, after sitting out the 2023 season, but as a former star wrestler and top scholar-athlete she is expected to adapt and fill many roles this season. Newcomer Leah Walker joins the team as a freshman, after attending American River, but not competing for the Beavers.
The Cougars open the season in Marin this weekend but are back in SLO to host the Central Coast Classicl for their second week of competition on September 6-7. Cuesta is also set to host Golden West for their 2024 home opener in a pre-tournament contest on September 5 (2:30).
