The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation – the most competitive conference in men’s water polo – released its Coaches’ Poll this week and UC Santa Barbara was ranked fifth out of nine teams.
The Gauchos garnered 31 points in the poll. Defending NCAA Champion USC was ranked first with 63 points and seven first-place votes while UCLA, the defending conference champion, was ranked second with 56 points and two first-place votes. Cal (48 points) and Stanford (47 points) rounded out the top-four.
UCSB, which finished fifth in league play during the 2011 season, returns the bulk of its squad. Included among the returners are 2011 All-American Brian Shoemaker and All-MPSF pick Matt Gronow.
The Gauchos will open their 2012 campaign at the UCLA Tournament the weekend of Sept. 1-2. Their home opener will be played against UC San Diego at noon on Sept. 8 at Campus Pool.
MPSF PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. USC — 63 points
2. UCLA — 56
3. California — 48
4. Stanford — 47
5. UCSB — 31
6. UC Irvine — 25
7. Pepperdine — 23
8. Long Beach State — 16
9. Pacific — 15
