BERKELEY – For the second straight year, the California men's water polo team will begin the season as the nation's top-ranked team.

The Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) released its annual men's water polo Division I preseason poll on Wednesday, placing the two-time defending champion Golden Bears at the top of the 23-team list. Cal also topped the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) coaches poll, receiving six out of eight first-place votes.

This marks the fifth time since 2008 that the Bears will start the year with a No. 1 national ranking. Fellow MPSF schools USC, UCLA and Stanford joined Cal in the top four in both polls.

The Bears will begin their national title defense next weekend with four games at the Triton Invitational. Cal opens the season on Sept. 2 against Pomona-Pitzer at 9:15 a.m. before facing host UC San Diego at 2:30 p.m. The following day, the Bears take on UC Santa Barbara at 10:30 a.m. and close things out with Cal State Fullerton at 3:45 p.m.


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