Michigan
Indiana
Wolverines to Open 2021 Season With Michigan Invitational
2/17/2021 10:00:00 AM | Water Polo
» The Wolverines host the four-team Michigan Invitational this weekend at Canham Natatorium, playing games against Indiana, St. Francis (Pa.) and Salem University on Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 20-21).
» It is the program's first games in nearly a year. Its last competition before the COVID-19 pandemic came at the Wolverine Invitational against Santa Clara, Long Beach State, Iona and Bucknell on Feb. 29 and March 1, 2020, at Canham Natatorium.
» Michigan begins the season ranked No. 8 in the Varsity National Top 25. Indiana, who it plays twice this weekend, is No. 13. Salem and St. Francis (Pa.) are unranked.
THIS WEEK
Sat-Sun., Feb. 20-21 -- host, Michigan Invitational (Canham Natatorium)
Tournament Central
Saturday, Feb. 20 -- vs. #13 Indiana, 10:30 a.m.
TV: Big Ten Network+ | Live Video | Live Stats
Saturday, Feb. 20 -- vs. Salem, 1:30 p.m.
TV: Big Ten Network+ | Live Video | Live Stats
Sunday, Feb. 21 -- vs. Saint Francis, 9 a.m.
TV: Big Ten Network+ | Live Video | Live Stats
Sunday, Feb. 21 -- vs. #13 Indiana, 6 p.m.
TV: Big Ten Network+ | Live Video | Live Stats
• Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
The No. 8-ranked University of Michigan water polo team returns to competition for the first time in nearly a year, opening up its 2021 season by hosting the Michigan Invitational on Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 20-21) at Canham Natatorium. The Wolverines will be joined by No. 13 Indiana (4-0), Saint Francis (2-2) and Salem (0-4).
There is no public accesss to U-M events.
Team Notes
• After a lengthy pause, the Wolverines are set to open their 2021 season. Its initial opener, a four-game series at Arizona State originally set for Feb. 5-7, was postponed due to Michigan's department-wide activities pause. A two-game series at Indiana, originally set for Feb. 14, was also canceled.
• Michigan begins the season ranked No. 8 in the Varsity National Top 25 and No. 1 in the CWPA.
• The Wolverines went 11-8 in 2020 before the remainder of the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In its last full season, 2019, U-M went 23-9, including a perfect 6-0 record in CWPA competition. Discounting the shortened 2020 season, the Wolverines have won four consecutive CWPA championships and reached the NCAA Tournament in each of those years.
• The team's five captains for the 2021 season are Heidi Ritner, Kathy Rogers, Emily Ritner, Sofie Pontré and Maddie O'Reilly.
• The Wolverines return their top seven offensive players from last year, headlined by senior Maddie O'Reilly. The 2020 MGoBlue.com Breakthrough Female Athlete of the Year, O'Reilly was off to a blistering start last year before the season was canceled, tallying 70 points (36 goals, 34 assists) in only 19 games. Also back is junior Erin Neustrom (32 points), junior Ava Morrant (32), senior Emily Ritner (27), senior Sofie Pontré (21), sophomore Anne Rankin (19) and senior Kathy Rogers (18)
• Michigan also gets a boost from Heidi Ritner, who is back for a fifth year after the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility for student-athletes due to last season being cut short. A four-year starter, Ritner is the program leader in wins (88), ranks second in saves (861) and fifth in save percentage (.532).
• There are eight newcomers on the 2021 roster, which includes seven freshmen: Libby Alsemgeest (Hamilton, New Zealand), Sammi Monroe (Pleasant Hill, Calif.), Elise Walker (Los Altos, Calif.), Alison Lock (Superior Township, Mich.), Lola Ciruli (Lafayette, Calif.), Kata Utassy (Budapest, Hungary) and Kasey Umlauf (Northfield, Ill.). Graduate student Emily Byrne also joins the squad after transferring from UC Davis; she played in 80 games, tallying 59 goals, 39 assists and 62 steals.
Opponent Preview
Indiana: The Hoosiers are 4-0 on the season, winning two games each against Salem (17-6, 17-4) and St. Francis (16-2, 17-8). Top offensive performers include Izzy Mandema (18 goals, one assist), Tina Doherty (12G, 6A) and Zoe Crouch (6G, 12A). Mary Askew started all four games, making 12 saves. Michigan is 39-16-1 all-time against Indiana, with their last meeting coming in March 2019.
Salem: The Tigers are 0-4 on the season, losing two games each to Indiana (17-6, 17-4) and St. Francis (12-8, 12-7) on Feb. 6-7. Salem had another series scheduled with St. Francis last Sunday (Feb. 14), but it was postponed due to a COVID-19 pause at the university. Michigan is 3-0 all-time against Salem, with the last meeting coming in March 2004.
St. Francis (Pa.): The Red Flash are 2-2 on the season, sweeping Salem (12-8 [OT], 12-7) while falling to Indiana (16-2, 17-8). Michigan is 4-0 all-time against St. Francis (Pa.), with their last meeting coming in April 2019.
Up Next
Saturday, Feb. 27 -- at Arizona State, vs. UC San Diego (Tempe, Ariz.), TBA
Sunday, Feb. 28 -- vs. USC (Tempe, Ariz.), TBA
