OAKLAND, Calif. --- Biola Men's Water Polo receives its first ranking in the 2021 Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) preseason poll, Eagles tabbed to finish ninth in their inaugural season. 

Biola faces a plethora of talent as six of the nine schools in the WWPA are NCAA Division I programs. The Eagles are joined by Concordia Irvine and Fresno Pacific as the only three NCAA Division II schools in the conference. 

While the last-place ranking would cause concern for an established program, the Eagles have a chance to make history as the Biola Athletic's inaugural Men's Water Polo team.

"This team has the unique privilege of being the first-ever, we get to set the direction, culture, and vision of the program," said Head Coach Rick Nordell. "We have nothing to lose and everything to gain in each and every day we play and we look forward to the challenge of competing against the best of the best teams in the country."

While the Eagles are not content with their ranking, they know they have their work cut out for them this upcoming season. 

"Being ranked last is very motivating and lights a fire under us to work harder than any other team out there," said Nordell. "We have a further distance to go, to get to where we need to be to compete at the level we will face this year." 

Biola has signed five transfers, Max Osborn (LBCC), Matt Vinson (Modesto JC), Jay Osborn (Fullerton CC) Kenny Wulf, and Dominic Hidalgo-Valecillo (RCC) who bring in collegiate level water polo experience & will provide a foundation of experience that the Eagles can begin to build upon. 

Freshman goalkeeper, Mitchell Carpenter, will be the core for the Eagles on the defensive end, while fellow Yucaipa HS teammate Luke Franklin will bolster the offense in the center position. Freshman Will Tibbetts, Nolan Rapp, Matt Rodriguez & Christian Trapp are all-around versatile players who will contribute greatly at both ends of the pool. 

Biola is committed to sticking to its plan and reaching the expectations the team has set. "From the first day together, our goal has been to be better when we leave than when we arrive," said Nordell. "Most importantly, I want these young men to be better when they leave Biola than when they arrived."

Nordell understands the importance of grooming his young men into just that, young men who will leave Biola better than when they arrived, not just better water polo players. This group of young men will make history as the first water polo team in school history, they will go on to become husbands, fathers, employees, and "citizens who will make an impact for Christ in the world around them."

Biola is slated to kick off its season on September 4 at the UC San Diego Triton Invitational. The Eagle's first game will be against UCLA at 9:50 am.

2021 WWPA Preseason Coaches Poll
T1. UC Davis - 60 (5) 
T1. UC San Diego - 60 (4)
3. California Baptist - 49
4. Loyola Marymount - 44
5. Air Force - 34
6. Santa Clara - 31
7. Concordia - 23
8. Fresno Pacific -13
9. Biola - 10