For the first time in the program’s 28-year history, the Villanova women’s water polo team is ranked No. 23 and No. 25 across two national water polo polls, the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) and the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA). 

The team received five votes to rank No. 25 in the CWPA poll, the most since receiving four votes during the week of Apr. 21, 2021, in which Villanova defeated then-No. 23 Iona.

“[It] feels great to be ranked, earned, and deserved the way we have played to start this season,” head coach Michael Gordon said. “Still [have] lots of work to do to continue to improve, let’s see how high we can climb.”

The ranking comes after a close and competitive Bruno Classic, in which Villanova went 1-3. 

The Wildcats fought against No. 24 University of the Pacific, RV Marist College, Salem University and No. 23 Brown University. 

Villanova continued the competition in the Crimson Classic, where they took on No. 13 UC San Diego and fell, 15-10, in a closely contested match. They also lost, 17-11, to No. 15 University of California Santa Barbara. 

The weekend in Cambridge, MA culminated with Villanova’s defeat of No. 21 Brown University, 11-8. 

The Wildcats then returned home to take a 16-13 win against Siena College on Saturday, Feb. 15.

Junior goalie Gracin Kerry is one reason for Villanova’s success this season. Earning her third MAAC Defensive Player of the Week award on Feb. 19, Kerry just broke the program record for most defensive weekly awards.

The Wildcats look to continue their win streak in the Convergence Tournament, where they will take on Concordia University Irvine and California State University at Fullerton on Feb. 28. Then, Villanova will take on McKendree University and California Lutheran University on Sunday, March 1.