BERKELEY – The Cal women's water polo team may have a new look this season, but the goals and expectations remain the same.

The Bears lost three of their top five scorers – including two Olympians – due to graduation, but the team still expects to be in its usual position of competing for a national championship. Cal has advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Championship in eight of the last 10 non-COVID seasons, including last year when the team finished ranked No. 3 in the nation.

Emma Wright, a Canadian Olympian and four-time All-American who finished fourth on the program's all-time scoring list, has departed. Same with fellow four-time All-American Kitty Lynn Joustra, who played in the Tokyo Olympics with her native The Netherlands. Other mainstays such as Elli Protopapas, Grace Raisin and Georgia Gilmore are also gone.

But not only do the Bears still return a strong nucleus, led by First Team All-American goalie Isabel Williams and fellow All-American attacker Ruby Swadling, the team is ready for players who served in supporting roles in the past take the next step as leaders in 2023.

"We have a lot of experience but also some that are looking to make their mark," seventh-year head coach Coralie Simmons said Tuesday after the first official practice of the 2023 season. "It's a nice place to be because it keeps my veterans in check, and it allows for my newbies to be hungry and want to make their mark on the program. I think it's a great balance of keeping people competitive and accountable to us getting great."

Junior Maryn Dempsey was playing the best water polo of her career late last season before an injury sidelined her for the postseason. Jack-of-all-trades Mallory Reynoso and athletic attacker Reagan Whitney are also juniors who are proven commodities at the highest level of the college game. Sophomores Rozanne Voorvelt and Jessie Rose were each named to the MPSF All-Newcomer Team last season.

The Bears will be looking to all of them to continue to evolve into top-tier players in order to keep their perch near the top of the nation's best teams.

"Initially, it was a little nerve-wracking (the departures) because they are such big players and big personalities," said Williams, who recorded 245 saves last season – the fourth-best single-season mark in program history. "But I also think it gives a good opportunity for other people to step into those roles and show what they can do. We are just seeing people grow and get better and come into their roles, and really do a lot for the team in and out of the water. They've put in a lot of work since they day they got here. I know they are excited to do the rest."

Swadling and Williams have plenty of veteran support in seniors Cecily Turner and Shea Salvino, who combined to score 48 goals last season. The Bears also have high hopes for their crop of newcomers, including redshirt freshman Janna Tauscher, who should help fill the void left by Joustra and Raisin at center. Freshman Millie Quin is a member of the New Zealand National Team.

"(The freshmen) are super hungry," Simmons said. "They are asking all the right questions and barking up the trees of all the veterans."

Cal opens the 2023 season on Jan. 13 at home against Cal State East Bay.

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