Sun Devils open their season in a four-game slate at ASU Invitational

(Photo courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics)

The chilly winds have started to pick up across Tempe but that hasn’t prevented the Arizona State women’s water polo from jumping in the pool as it prepares for the upcoming season.

Following one of the most successful campaigns in team history, that saw ASU finish top-10 in the national rankings with a 23-8 record, the Sun Devils are ready to run it back, beginning with the ASU Invitational this upcoming weekend.

ASU will take on four teams across both days – Cal Lutheran, No.23 San Diego State, No. 15 UC Davis and California Baptist. Last year, the program swept this invitational with an average margin of victory of 12.5 goals per game, including ranked wins vs No.20 Wagner and No.18 Loyola Marymount. Both San Diego State and UC Davis are ranked, but the Sun Devils went 21-1 against teams outside the top-10 last season.

The departure of key seniors, namely MPSF Player of the Year Luca Petovary, could give the Sun Devils a harder challenge. Juniors, attacker Millie Quin and center Sophie Shorter-Robinson will be the primary means of offense and with all the defensive attention on them it remains to be seen how well this revamped roster, featuring 11 newcomers, can work together in their first few games.

Cal Lutheran

For the second year in a row, ASU begins its season against Cal Lutheran. The 2024 matchup saw a commanding 26-2 victory for the Maroon and Gold, setting the school record for goals in a game.

The Sun Devils were able to score at will vs Cal Lutheran last season whether it was through isolations, in transition or off of assists inside, suffocating the Kingsmen and Regals on the defensive end. Cal Lutheran ended their 2024 season with an 11-18 record and by every indication, ASU should be able to handle business in their opener

If the game gets out of hand in a similar fashion, it could be time for ASU head coach Petra Pardi to showcase her treasure chest of freshmen. Of the 11 newcomers, 10 are freshmen and the Sun Devils will be hopeful that at least a few will be able to contribute early in the year.

San Diego State

The Sun Devils second matchup of the day pits them up against a San Diego State side that went 17-15 last year. ASU has won 10 straight vs the Aztecs, with the most recent meeting in 2022 ending 11-6 in favor of the Sun Devils.

For the Sun Devils, limiting attacker Claudia Valdes’ production will be key. The junior paced the Aztec attack in 2024 with 76 goals at 49.4% and the offense will likely operate through her.

Offensively, Pardi enjoys to run a motion-style system that prioritizes passing around the perimeter to find optimal shots and being careful with the ball will be crucial in maintaining possession throughout the game.

UC Davis

The No.15 -Aggies are the Sun Devils toughest challenge rankings-wise. UC Davis went just 10-18 in the pool last season and ASU came out on top 9-4 in the only matchup between the two programs in 2024.

But the Aggies will be returning 18 members from last year’s squad, including four out of the top five scorers from last season. The advantage in experience and chemistry could prove to be a factor against a relatively untested Sun Devils team.

Gianna Nocetti leads the way for the Aggies coming off a 2024 campaign that saw her put up 31 goals and 17 assists while Quin steps into the shoes of Petovary and becomes the primary option. Quin finished her first year in Tempe with 73 goals and 42 assists but the additional responsibility on her shoulders could affect those numbers. L

Getting out to a quick start is also monumental for the Sun Devils. They went 18-1 in games where they scored first last season and playing with a lead lowers the pressure against a ranked opponent.

California Baptist

ASU closes out its home invitational against No.25 – California Baptist University. The Lancers compiled a 11-19 record in their previous season and the historical matchup vs the Sun Devils doesn’t look much better, as ASU has come out on top in 14 straight clashes with an average margin of victory above eight goals per game.

Similar to the Aggies, a large part of CBU’s roster is made up of returning student-athletes. Junior Emaly Hutton made second team all-GCC with a team-leading 52 goals meaning the Lancers will be looking to get her the ball early and often.

Sophomore goalkeeper Sanne Keijzer will be busy in the net against an aggressive CBU team that averaged over 22 shots per game last season. Keijzer saved over eight goals per game at a rate of 51.2% and her services will be pivotal in the case of an ASU victory.