Indiana University Athletics

No. 10 Indiana Water Polo Picks Up Top 10 Win In Season Opener Over No. 7 Fresno State
1/17/2026 3:26:00 PM | Women's Water Polo
FRESNO, Calif. – No. 10 Indiana water polo used an all-around team performance to starve off host No. 7 Fresno State, 11-10, at Polopalooza on Saturday at Fresno State Aquatic Center.
KEY MOMENTS
NOTES
UP NEXT
IU wraps up play at Polopalooza against No. 8 UC Irvine at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday.
For all the latest on Indiana University women's water polo, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaWPolo on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
#NeverDaunted
KEY MOMENTS
- Indiana (1-0) fended off a pair of 6-on-5 opportunities in the first quarter with six minutes to go as it would highlight a defensive battle. Sophomore Olivia Harris and freshman Audrina Kang scored goals, but Fresno State (1-1) added a pair of their own as the first eight minute needed in a 2-2 tie.
- It was the Hoosiers who had the advantage in the second quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs, 4-1, and taking a 6-3 lead at the break. Harris notched her second goal early in the frame while senior goalie Jasmine Higgs added to her impressive first half with a goalie goal to make it 4-2.
- Sophomore Keira Blitzer scored along with Kang on a 5-meter penalty in the second.
- Fresno State scored the first three goals in the third to tie the game up with 2:43 left. The two teams traded goals late in the period, ending in an 8-8 tie going to the fourth.
- Senior Louisa Downes pushed her team ahead by two on a pair of goals from the right side making it a 10-8 lead with 5:34 to go in the fourth. The Bulldogs attempted the comeback but the ultimate decider would be freshman Kylie Williams's first career goal in center with four minutes to play.
NOTES
- Indiana opens with a win for the sixth time in the Taylor McInerney era.
- The Hoosiers secure a victory over Fresno State for the first time since the 2018 season opener and are now ahead in the all-time series, 3-2.
- Higgs had a spectacular day in cage, playing all 32 minutes with 11 saves and a goal. She recorded eight of her saves in the first half.
- Kang and Williams each scored their first career goals as Hoosiers. They helped lead IU in scoring with two goals each along with Downes and Harris.
- Senior Grace Klingler had a team-high three assists and a pair of steals in the win.
UP NEXT
IU wraps up play at Polopalooza against No. 8 UC Irvine at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday.
For all the latest on Indiana University women's water polo, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaWPolo on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
#NeverDaunted
Team Stats
IND
FRE
Shots
28
28
Goals
11
10
Assists
5
4
Points
16
14
Exclusions
12
8
Steals
9
10
Sprints
1
3
1
Olivia Harris
Riaan Bryant
Audrina Kang
Charley Stephens
2
Olivia Harris
Jasmine Higgs
Kira Anderson
Keira Blitzer
Audrina Kang
3
Kira Anderson
Megan Cranley
Susanna Martinez
Macie Drum
Sidney Strickland
Keira Blitzer
Riaan Bryant
4
Louisa Downes
Louisa Downes
Riaan Bryant
Megan Cranley
Kylie Williams
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
FB: Nico Radicic - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Drew Evans - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Bray Lynch - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Spring Practice - Curt Cignetti Press Conference
Thursday, April 16

















