Pitzer College Women's Water Polo Players Win Top Honors

Claremont, Calif. (May 17, 2012) — Pitzer College student Anna Oxborough-Yankus '12 was named the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Women's Water Polo Player of the Year and first-year student Alyssa Woodward '15 was named the Newcomer of the Year. Woodward was also named first-team All-SCIAC, along with Perri Hopkins '12.

Oxborough-Yankus and Woodward were the top two goal-scorers for the Sagehens this year, helping the program bounce back from a down year in 2011 and return to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in the last six seasons.

Oxborough-Yankus was at her best during the SCIAC Tournament, tallying 10 goals over the three games, including a season-high five in the championship match against Redlands (the most for any Sagehen all season). She also helped the Sagehens advance to the finals with the tiebreaking goal in an 8-7 win over Claremont Mudd Scripps in the semifinal round, her team-high third of the game.

Woodward began her collegiate career in stellar fashion, leading the Sagehens in scoring in each of their first five games, including a pair of goals against California in her college debut. She had 27 multi-goal games over the course of the year.

Hopkins, an All-America selection from a year ago, provided outstanding two-way play, establishing herself as the team's top defensive player while racking up up 33 goals throughout the season. She was a co-captain with Oxborough-Yankus and first-team All-SCIAC selection this year. Hopkins was also selected to the NCAA All-Tournament second team at the conclusion of the NCAA Championships at San Diego State University this past weekend.

The Sagehen Women's Water Polo team won its fifth SCIAC championship this year and earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament in San Diego. The Sagehens finished the NCAA Tournament in eighth place.

University Press Release here