BERKELEY – The Cal women's water polo team was picked to finish second in the 2018 MPSF Women's Water Polo Coaches Poll, the conference office announced Friday.

It marks the Bears' highest preseason conference prediction since also being picked to finish second in 2012.

Stanford was picked to win the conference championship with 22 points with the Golden Bears right behind with 20 points and one first-place vote. UCLA and USC were chosen to finish in a tie for third place at 17 points apiece.

Cal returns a pair of three-time All-Americans to this season's team – seniors Dora Antal and Anna Illes – and features five All-Americans overall. Sophomore Emma Wright earned All-American honors last year as a freshman while seniors Carla Carrega and Kindred Paul garnered the recognition as sophomores.

The Bears advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Championships last season and finished ranked No. 4 in the country. They begin the 2018 season Jan. 20-21 at the Rainbow Invite in Honolulu.

 
MPSF PRESEASON COACHES POLL (First Place Votes In Parantheses)
1. Stanford (4)
2. Cal (1)
3. UCLA (1)
4. USC
5. Arizona State
6. San Jose State