The Fresno State women’s water polo team has been voted by its peers in a Golden Coast Conference (GCC) Championship poll to compete in 2020, as the league’s eight head coaches chose the Bulldogs to finish third in the conference, according to a Fresno State Athletics press release.

The eight coaches selected the University of the Pacific, the 2019 GCC Champions, to repeat once again in 2020.

In the poll, Pacific (49 points, 7 first place votes) ranks at the top of the conference with the most points and first place votes. Loyola Marymount (42 points, 1 first place vote) is in second and Fresno State (38 points) is in third.

The Bulldogs finished the 2019 season with a 14-15 overall record (4-3 GCC), finishing fourth in the conference. The ‘Dogs clinched third place in the GCC Championships after beating San Diego State 15-10.

The Bulldogs are bringing back 14 letter winners this season, which include All-GCC selections Emily Nicholson, Callie Woodruff and Daphne Guevremont.

Nicholson is coming off another stellar season with a team-high 53 goals and 11 steals. Guevremont finished the 2019 season with a team-high 30 steals and Woodruff scored 42 goals and dished out 12 assists. 

The Bulldogs will kick off conference play hosting Azusa Pacific in the Fresno State Aquatics Center on February 21 at 5:30 p.m., with head coach Natalie Benson entering her third season at Fresno State.

“We’re ready to get the season started and see what we can do in Chapter Three of our journey,” Benson said. “We strive to improve each year, both in individual skill, as well as our team performance, and will work hard to achieve that goal throughout our long season.”