IRVINE, Calif. — In a rematch of last year's championship final, Biola Women's Water Polo rode a hot start to a quarterfinal win over McKendree University on Friday. Gwendolyn Pidd's fourth five-goal game of the season helped power an 18–15 victory to begin Biola's 2026 Western Water Polo Association title hunt.
"We know what it is like to play in the championship and win, and we know what it's like to lose in the championship," said
Ava LoBue. "I think we are harnessing the feelings of not wanting to lose again. We've been fighting so hard since we started training in August. We really, really want to be back at the top."
That fight for success was evident early, as Biola charged out in front from the opening moments. The Eagles scored eight times in the first period, including a flurry of three goals in the final minute of the frame. Pidd already had a hat trick by the end of the first eight minutes, while five other Eagles also found the scoresheet.
The final goal of the opening stanza came as time expired, when Fernanda Luna took advantage of a 7-on-6 opportunity to find the twine for her second collegiate goal—her first score since the opening day of the season.
Biola held an 8-5 advantage at the break and scored twice in period two to hit double figures in the first half of this high-scoring game. The three-goal advantage built in the first period would turn out to be the deciding factor as both teams put up 10 total goals spread between periods two through four.
"I think our team played really well together today," said Pidd. "We came together before the game and wanted to trust each other and give all our anxieties and everything up to God. I think that we did that really well today. We pushed each other and lifted each other up in this game."
The Eagles shot over 50 percent in this playoff game, finishing 18-for-33. Defensive discipline will be an area of focus heading into Saturday's semifinal, as Biola was triple whistled for 21 exclusions in the match—a new season high. Biola's defense was able to create some extra chances in this one as they managed four field blocks, which is just one off their season-high.
Pidd led the Eagles in points with five goals and an assist. Once again, her shot selection was undeniably incredible, scoring on five of her six shot attempts.
Plenty of her teammates contributed in a big way on Friday afternoon, led by Destiny Moreno, who finished with one goal and three assists. LoBue also added a hat trick and an assist to total four points. It marked Ava's seventh game this season with three or more goals.
The victory secured Biola its spot in the semifinals, where the team will face the number one seed in the East, Salem. The Tigers enter Saturday's 1:45 p.m. matchup fresh off a 16-5 win over Fresno Pacific in the quarterfinals. They went 4-0 in WWPA East play this year and are 14-6 overall. Notable common opponents this year between Biola and Salem include APU (Salem lost 14-10) and CSU Monterey Bay (Salem won 6-5). Saturday's meeting is just the second ever between Biola and Salem, and the first since the Eagles' inaugural season in 2022.
Follow the semifinal match live at
this link. View the live scoring on
The FOSH at this link. Biola is seeking a spot in the championship match for the fourth season in a row.
