MERCED, Calif. – The OUAZ women's water polo team, in only its third year of existence, captured a major title by winning the NAIA Women's Water Polo Finals, 15-13 over Westcliff University. The Spirit won five straight matches in three days on their way to winning the championship.
"Today we really wanted to use our depth and it paid off," said OUAZ head coach Greg Farrier. "Our team works hard and has faced tough situations all season, so having to come from behind the other day and fighting them off today was something we felt we could do."
Tied at the midway point of the match (8-8), the Spirit built its lead to 14-10 with five minutes to play before Westcliff scored three straight goals over the next four minutes. That's when Spirit Tori Higginson connected on her third goal of the match with :44 left to seal the win. Rachel Hughes also added three goals and three assists on the day for OUAZ.
In the awards department for OUAZ, the overall tournament MVP was junior Jasmine Miller, while freshman Ashely Byron was named Defensive Player of the Tournament and sophomore Kendall Patrick was named the team MVP. Miller and Patrick finished among the tournament scoring leaders with eight goals a piece. Patrick also had four assists.
The Spirit end the season at 18-10 and riding a win streak of eight. For a program that didn't play a single home match, the team was 12-8 at a neutral site and 6-2 in away contests.
