For the first time since 2021, the Fresno State water polo team is not the defending Golden Coast Conference (GCC) champions.
After falling in the GCC title game to the Loyola Marymount Lions, the ‘Dogs have taken the offseason to reset their minds.
“You got to have that stick that kind of keeps you going and keeps you motivated,” said Head Coach Natalie Benson.
The Bulldogs’ road to avenge their championship loss begins on Jan. 16, as they host their annual Polopalooza tournament. The ‘Dogs will play in three other tournaments before starting GCC play in February.
Coming into 2026, Benson and the ‘Dogs bring in 11 newcomers, seven freshmen and four transfers. This helps guide them through the loss of impactful seniors, like Brooke Ochoa, the program’s all-time leading scorer, and Abbey Simshauser, an attacker who scored 128 goals in two seasons for the ‘Dogs.
Despite the key losses, the Bulldogs were picked to win the GCC by the coaches. This is the second consecutive season that the ‘Dogs have been chosen as preseason winners. The ‘Dogs also rank No. 7 to start the season in the national poll.
“That’s not something that’s really in our minds,” said senior attacker Hailey Andress. “It doesn’t matter how you start, it’s how you finish … It doesn’t really mean anything. It’s not a guaranteed win.”
Of the 11 newcomers, goalie Katelyn Mobley and freshmen attackers Charli Muñoz, Charley Stephens and Riaan Bryant earned high praise from Benson for their work before the season.
The Bulldogs will play in 23 games in the regular season, which is three more than last season. Fifteen of the 23 games will be played in four non-conference tournaments. The ‘Dogs will also have multiple games on back-to-back days with travel.
One of the biggest challenges comes in March when the Bulldogs play the Azusa Pacific Cougars, a conference opponent, and the UCLA Bruins, a team the ‘Dogs have never defeated.
“It’s different, but I think the support we have on our team, not only from our coaches and our teammates, but also like our athletic trainer and our weights coach,” Andress said. “It’s really gonna help us be prepared for what we have to do.”
GCC play for the ‘Dogs starts on Feb. 21 against the Santa Clara Broncos. The Bulldogs’ marquee matchup in conference play will be at Loyola Marymount University the following week as they look to beat the Lions at the same place where their title defense ended in 2025.
“I think that loss last year was rough, but I think we’re ready to come back and get another win,” Andress said.
The Bulldogs hope to avenge that loss in the tournament at home this season, as they host the GCC tournament for the first time since 2019.
“For us to be able to do something like win a conference championship on our home pool,” Benson said. “Isn’t that everybody’s dream?”
The ‘Dogs will take their first dip in 2026 on Jan. 16 as they host the Michigan Wolverines at 6:30 p.m. at the Fresno State Aquatics Center.
