The 2002 NCAA Women's Water Polo Championship was the third annual tournament to determine the national championship of NCAA women's collegiate water polo. The single-elimination tournament was played at Canyonview Pool at the University of California, San Diego in La Jolla, San Diego, California from May 10–11, 2003.
UCLA, in a rematch of the previous two years' finals, defeated Stanford in the final, 4–3, to win their second NCAA championship. The Bruins (23–4) were coached by Adam Krikorian.
UCLA's Robin Beauregard was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Five different players (2 from UCLA, 2 from Stanford, and 1 from Loyola Marymount) tied as the tournament's leading scorer, with 3 goals each.
Qualification Since there has only ever been one single national championship for women's water polo, all NCAA women's water polo programs (whether from Division I, Division II, or Division III) were eligible. A total of 4 teams were invited to contest this championship.
Team Appearance PreviousLoyola Marymount3rd2002Indiana1stNeverStanford3rd2002UCLA3rd2002
Tournament bracket Site: Canyonview Pool, La Jolla, San Diego, California
All tournament teams
First Team Robin Beauregard, UCLA (Most Outstanding Player) Natalie Golda, UCLA Jessica López, UCLA Jackie Frank, Stanford Julie Gardner, Stanford Hannah Luber, Stanford Kelty Luber, Stanford Brenda Villa, Stanford Katie Hicks, Loyola Marymount Krista Peterson, Indiana
Second Team Maureen Flanagan, UCLA Jamie Hipp, UCLA Kelly Rulon, UCLA Teresa Guidi, Loyola Marymount Devon Wright, Loyola Marymount Kristin Stanford, Indiana
See also Pre-NCAA Intercollegiate Women's Water Polo Champions (pre-2001) NCAA Men's Water Polo Championship
References