Water Polo Punches Ticket to NCAA Tournament

TEMPE, ARIZ-- For just the third time in program history, Sun Devil water polo was announced tonight, via the NCAA's Selection Show, as an at-large bid with the #4 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014. The Sun Devils placed fourth in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation after competition ended yesterday, which tied their highest placing since 2014.

It was believed that the three at-large NCAA bids were going to be within the MPSF conference, and with the Sun Devils finishing in fourth place and California Golden Bears in fifth place, that last berth was up for grabs. The Sun Devils have been a top-five team or higher in the Collegiate Water Polo Association polls for 11 straight weeks, which is the most in program history. 

Head Coach Todd Clapper is excited for his team, "I think the reactions says it all. Were thrilled, relieved, and excited to go play in the NCAA Championships. I am really proud of what this team and this staff have accomplished." 

WE'RE IN!!!!!?????? pic.twitter.com/SFElShGVck

— Sun Devil Water Polo (@SunDevilWP) May 4, 2021

ASU has had many memorable games this season, including three major upsets, which is the first time since 2016 that the team has had a top five upset. Mona Plummer was where the magic happened, with wins over No. 2 Stanford and No. 2 UCLA during the regular-season, and No. 4 California, which happened most recently in the MPSF Tournament. 

The NCAA Championship will be held May 14-16 at Spieker Aquatics Center in Los Angeles, California, and the Sun Devils are set to face off with Michigan in the first round of play. 

ASU hosted the Wolverines earlier this season in Mona Plummer and split the the series 1-1, losing 10-12 winning by a score of 7-4.