SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Fresno Pacific women's water polo team wrapped up a successful 2017 campaign on Sunday. The Sunbirds dropped the fifth-place game at the Golden Coast Conference (GCC) Championships to Santa Clara 5-3, but FPU had several moments throughout the season to celebrate.
 
FPU finishes the season at 15-16 overall, which is a program record for wins in a single season. The Sunbirds also had two other single-season records fall, as Amber Penney broke the record for goals in a season with 87 and Julia Ponce set a new assists mark with 58.
 
A day after taking down California Baptist for the first time in program history, the Sunbirds hit the pool against Santa Clara. The game featured a defensive battle, as each team only scored twice before halftime. The Broncos then distanced themselves in the third quarter with a 3-0 run before Penney cut the deficit to 5-3. Looking to mount a comeback in the final quarter, the Sunbirds were held scoreless before the final horn sounded on a historic season.
 
Ponce, Penney and Kaitlin Groothuyzen each found the back of the cage for the Sunbirds, while Hannah Holly, Ponce and Sam Witt dished out an assist apiece. Courtney Hall totaled seven saves in the cage in three quarters of action. Kaylin Drum played the final period and totaled three saves.
 
The two teams finished a combined 0-fo-12 on power-play opportunities, and each team fired 25 shots each on the day.

"This season was one for the record books," said head coach Bryan Suhovy. "We have continually progressed in the right direction for the past few years. The foundation we've laid really showed this year. These girls worked hard, played consistently and never quit. Even in the final game today they never stopped fighting. Although we lost, I was really proud of each girl and how they contributed to the team effort. Our three seniors will be missed, but they have helped raise the bar for future teams."

The Sunbirds graduate three student-athletes this season, as Hall, Drum and Groothuyzen wrap up successful careers at FPU. The Sunbirds will look to continue the momentum built this season behind a core of Ponce, Emily Knowles, Holly and Penney.