Sun Devils Set For Four Top-20 Matchups in ASU Invitational

(Photo: Courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics)

The Arizona State water polo team is back in its home pool in Tempe this weekend, hosting the ASU Invitational.

The No. 6 Sun Devils (8-1) will be playing six schools over the course of three days. They will be facing off against No. 10 Fresno State (5-3), No. 20 Pacific (1-1), No. 18 Marist (3-1), No. 19 San Diego State (5-4), Cal Lutheran (1-2) and UC Santa Barbara (1-7).

To open the invitational, ASU hosts Fresno State on Friday, Feb. 6. It’s a rare occurrence when the Sun Devils play Fresno State. ASU has only played them twice in the last ten years, coming out victorious in both 2018 and 2022.

Fresno State senior attacker Hailey Andress is leading her team in stats with 19 goals and a .422 shooting percentage.

To open the Saturday slate, ASU faces Pacific, who have only played two games this season. Pacific has started off its season with two drastically different games.

In the first game of the season, Pacific beat Fresno Pacific 23-6. Yet, just nine days later, Pacific lost 25-9 to No. 4 California.

Freshman attacker Maria Ikonomou is leading Pacific with six goals and a .545 shooting percentage.

On Saturday evening, ASU faces Marist. The last time the Sun Devils and Marist played each other, the Sun Devils won 23-7 in 2024.

ASU’s first opponent on Sunday is also a familiar face, as Cal Lutheran heads to Mona Plummer. Last year, the Sun Devils opened the season with a 19-6 victory over Cal Lutheran.

Cal Lutheran has had a rocky start to its season being 1-2. This isn’t unfamiliar territory for them, as last season Cal Lutheran started with a seven game losing streak before getting its first win of the season.

Freshman utility Aleaha Gonzalez is leading her team with nine goals and a .692 shooting percentage.

ASU’s second opponent on Sunday, San Diego State and is led by senior attacker Claudia Valdes is leading her team with 14 goals and a .438 shooting percentage.

To round out the weekend, ASU faces UC Santa Barbara, who have had a rough start to its season. They’re currently on a five game losing streak, and will certainly look to turn the tides of their season this weekend.

Sophomore attacker Lainey Weintre is leading Cal Lutheran with 5 goals and a .357 shooting percentage.

This weekend is the second-to-last home invitational that ASU will host this season, with the five-team Sun Devil Classic scheduled for the weekend of Feb. 14.