RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The UC Santa Barbara Women's Water Polo team opens up their season on Friday at California Baptist's annual tournament, The Joust, where they will take on USC and the hosting Lancers in back-to-back matches. Ranked No. 18 in the CWPA preseason poll, the Gauchos will look to start their season off strong against two other ranked opponents.
 
2025 IN REVIEW
Last season, UC Santa Barbara secured a 16-13 overall record and a 2-5 conference record, coming up short in the Big West Quarterfinal to end their season. After the 2025 season, the Gauchos lost 10 players, including All-Big West Second Team selection Annie Kuester. As the Gauchos head into the new season, they will look to returners Isabel Valaika, Molly Souza, and fifth-year Cami Mras to help guide the ship as 10 newcomers join the team.
 
SCOUTING THE TROJANS
The Gauchos will first face the 2025 National Championship runner-up, USC. After a terrific season that saw the Trojans obtain a 29-5 overall record and come up short in the NCAA final, USC returns All-Americans Emily Ausmus and Rachel Gazzaniga and is No. 2 in the preseason rankings. Ausmus, who led Team USA to gold at the U20 World Championships this past fall, will look to use her international experience in the water this season. On Friday, the Gauchos will seek their first win against the Trojans since 1998.
 
SCOUTING THE LANCERS
Following their first match, the Gauchos will take on California Baptist, who are ranked No. 25 in the preseason poll. Last season, the Lancers accumulated a 12-16 overall record and a 3-4 record in the Golden Coast Conference. After losing their top three goal-scorers from last season, the Lancers will look to returners Delilah Moreno and Niya Bumbaca to step up as they take on the Gauchos.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
The Gauchos kick off their season on Friday at 12 p.m. against USC, followed by a match at 3 p.m. against California Baptist. Santa Barbara's afternoon meeting with the Lancers will be streamed live on YouTube, and both of Friday's matches will have live stats available at ucsbgauchos.com.