Indiana University Athletics
Water Polo Closes Out 2019 Season
4/30/2019 3:54:00 PM | Women's Water Polo
Bloomington, Ind. - The Indiana University women's water polo team closes out the 2019 season with an overall record of 6-17 and a conference record of 0-8 after wrapping up their last weekend of action at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference championship tournament.
After graduating five seniors and losing a total of 11 athletes from last year's team, the Hoosiers looked at the 2019 season as a time to regroup, rebuild and an opportunity to lay the foundation for years to come.
As the team transitioned into the MPSF conference, Indiana was put to the ultimate test. This season presented the Hoosiers with some of the toughest competition they have ever seen.
The MPSF is considered the most elite water polo league in the NCAA and home to the most premier teams in the country. All six of Indiana's conference opponents consistently ranked in the top-25, with four teams claiming the top four spots throughout the year.
On top of a difficult schedule, the Hoosiers also faced countless injuries and illnesses throughout the season. Despite all of these setbacks, the 2019 team looked to keep the atmosphere positive and continuously support one another through the thick and thin.
The Hoosiers constantly kept their heads up, coming to practice every day with a smile on their face and taking the season one day at a time. The team created a family like atmosphere, where the athletes came together to compete for one another and made this season one to remember.
Although Indiana was faced with countless challenges, the Hoosiers continued to look forward and bringing light to the season. One of Indiana's most pivotal moments was during a home stand as they hosted the 2019 Indiana Classic (3/1-3/3) followed by a stand alone game the following week against Wittenberg University (3/7).
The Hoosiers claimed three of their five home victories during the Indiana Classic weekend followed by a fourth multi record-breaking win against the Wittenberg Tigers. Indiana hit four all-time school records during the game against the Tigers, and gave them the inspiration they needed to finish out the season strong.
In the game against Wittenberg, the Hoosiers tied an all-time IU scoring high with 23 goals while registering a team total of 21 assists setting a new school record. Freshman Molly McGuire also tied the record for third highest assist with 7, while freshmen Tina Doherty and Hannah Falls-Hand tallied six goals apiece to tie the second highest individual scoring record in IU history.
This sparked a fire under the Hoosiers as Tina Doherty grabbed Indiana's first MPSF weekly honors just two weeks later for her efforts in the game against Michigan (3/23). Doherty was nominated MPSF Newcomer of the Week as she registered four goals for her fifth four-plus goal game this year. Doherty is also one of four Hoosiers to collect four or more goals in a single game and the only Hoosier to score four-plus goals more than twice.
Doherty closed the season leading the Hoosiers in scoring and steals with 42 goals and 36 steals. Doherty also ranks second on the team in assists with 19 as well as drawn exclusions with a total of 28.
Contributing to Doherty's efforts was freshman Izzy Mandema who received two MPSF conference honors including All-MPSF Honorable Mention and landing a place on the MPSF All-Newcomer Team.
Mandema wrapped up the season leading the team in drawn exclusion with 69 and field blocks with 12. Mandema also has the second highest scoring record of 28 goals and third highest steals with 20.
Next year, the Hoosiers return their entire roster for an even stronger season as they take on their second year in the MPSF. Indiana will also add eight new faces to the team with an impressive incoming freshman class. Next year's newcomers include three athletes from California, four from the Midwest and one international student from England.
For all the latest on Indiana University water polo, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaWPolo on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
#GoIU
After graduating five seniors and losing a total of 11 athletes from last year's team, the Hoosiers looked at the 2019 season as a time to regroup, rebuild and an opportunity to lay the foundation for years to come.
As the team transitioned into the MPSF conference, Indiana was put to the ultimate test. This season presented the Hoosiers with some of the toughest competition they have ever seen.
The MPSF is considered the most elite water polo league in the NCAA and home to the most premier teams in the country. All six of Indiana's conference opponents consistently ranked in the top-25, with four teams claiming the top four spots throughout the year.
On top of a difficult schedule, the Hoosiers also faced countless injuries and illnesses throughout the season. Despite all of these setbacks, the 2019 team looked to keep the atmosphere positive and continuously support one another through the thick and thin.
The Hoosiers constantly kept their heads up, coming to practice every day with a smile on their face and taking the season one day at a time. The team created a family like atmosphere, where the athletes came together to compete for one another and made this season one to remember.
Although Indiana was faced with countless challenges, the Hoosiers continued to look forward and bringing light to the season. One of Indiana's most pivotal moments was during a home stand as they hosted the 2019 Indiana Classic (3/1-3/3) followed by a stand alone game the following week against Wittenberg University (3/7).
The Hoosiers claimed three of their five home victories during the Indiana Classic weekend followed by a fourth multi record-breaking win against the Wittenberg Tigers. Indiana hit four all-time school records during the game against the Tigers, and gave them the inspiration they needed to finish out the season strong.
In the game against Wittenberg, the Hoosiers tied an all-time IU scoring high with 23 goals while registering a team total of 21 assists setting a new school record. Freshman Molly McGuire also tied the record for third highest assist with 7, while freshmen Tina Doherty and Hannah Falls-Hand tallied six goals apiece to tie the second highest individual scoring record in IU history.
This sparked a fire under the Hoosiers as Tina Doherty grabbed Indiana's first MPSF weekly honors just two weeks later for her efforts in the game against Michigan (3/23). Doherty was nominated MPSF Newcomer of the Week as she registered four goals for her fifth four-plus goal game this year. Doherty is also one of four Hoosiers to collect four or more goals in a single game and the only Hoosier to score four-plus goals more than twice.
Doherty closed the season leading the Hoosiers in scoring and steals with 42 goals and 36 steals. Doherty also ranks second on the team in assists with 19 as well as drawn exclusions with a total of 28.
Contributing to Doherty's efforts was freshman Izzy Mandema who received two MPSF conference honors including All-MPSF Honorable Mention and landing a place on the MPSF All-Newcomer Team.
Mandema wrapped up the season leading the team in drawn exclusion with 69 and field blocks with 12. Mandema also has the second highest scoring record of 28 goals and third highest steals with 20.
Next year, the Hoosiers return their entire roster for an even stronger season as they take on their second year in the MPSF. Indiana will also add eight new faces to the team with an impressive incoming freshman class. Next year's newcomers include three athletes from California, four from the Midwest and one international student from England.
For all the latest on Indiana University water polo, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaWPolo on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
#GoIU
Players Mentioned
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