UCSB is ranked seventh in the country in the Collegiate Water Polo Association Coaches Preseason Poll.
The Gauchos, who return All-Americans Milos Golic and Zsombor Vincze, were picked to finish sixth in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
MPSF powers Cal, UCLA, Stanford, USC and Irvine were ranked first through fifth in the national and MPSF polls. Loyola Marymount is sixth.
UCSB earned 71 points in the national poll, trailing LMU by three points and coming in three points ahead of No. 8 Pepperdine. All nine of the MPSF schools rank among the nation’s top-10, further displaying the conference’s dominance.
UCSB kicks off its season on Saturday, Sept. 4 when they play in an exhibition tournament at UCLA. The Gauchos open at home on Sept. 11 against No. 11 UC San Diego.
