GENEVA, Ohio – The Fresno Pacific women's water polo team opened WWPA Championship play with a 14-9 win over McKendree. The Birds now advance to the semifinals, where they will take on third-seeded Cal State East Bay.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Fresno Pacific 14, McKendree 9
Box Score
Records: FPU (8-19), McKendree (11-13)
Location: Geneva, Ohio | SPIRE Institute
Series: FPU leads 2-0
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• FPU jumped out to an early lead on five first quarter goals while the defense, led by Madeline Frey, held the Bearcats scoreless through eight.
• The Sunbirds remained in control through the next two periods, though McKendree poured in six in the third frame to cut FPU's lead to 11-9.
• The Bearcats would not get any closer, as the Birds locked down the cage in the final frame while putting up three goals of their own to bring the final tally to 14-9.
 
STATS:
• Katie Kisling led the offense with four goals and three assists.
• Other key contributors included Sam Witt (three goals, two steals), Amy Zaninovich (two goals, assist) and Jenna Collins (two goals, two steals).
• Frey racked up 12 saves in the cage for the Sunbirds.
• FPU outpaced McKendree in shooting percentage at a .519-to-.346 clip.
• Emily Westlove and Brianna Mullalley chipped in four goals apiece to lead the Bearcats.
 
BEYOND THE BOX:
• FPU, riding their highest postseason seeding in program history, remained undefeated all-time against the Bearcats.
 
SOCIAL:
• Twitter - @fpusunbirds | Instagram - @fpusunbirds | Facebook - /FPUathletics
 
UP NEXT:
• FPU faces off against Cal State East Bay next. It will be the third matchup between the two teams, who traded one-point wins earlier in the season. First sprint is set for 7:30 a.m. (Pacific Time) at SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio.