Feb. 21, 2008

LEWISBURG, Pa. - For the first time in three years, and just the second time in program history, the Bucknell women's water polo team appeared in the national rankings when the latest Top-20 poll was announced this week. The Bison are ranked 19th nationally, marking the best showing in the poll in program history.

Bucknell was last ranked in 2005 when it broke into the national rankings for the first time. The Bison were 20th in that late-February poll thanks to an 8-1 start to the season.

This year, Bucknell has opened the season 7-2, its best start since 2006, and defeated then-No. 18 Indiana 11-10 last weekend at the Princeton Invitational. It marked the first victory over a ranked opponent for the Bison since 2006, a span of 14 games. They also played No. 6 San Diego State and No. 15 Michigan tough over the weekend.

Bucknell is one of five teams from the Eastern half of the country to appear in the rankings. It is joined by No. 13 Hartwick, No. 15 Michigan, No. 18 Princeton and No. 20 Indiana. The Bison are scheduled to play a minimum of eight games this year against teams in this week's poll.

This year, Bucknell has outscored its opponents by an average score of 12.2-8.8. Valentina Rozas (Pico Rivera, Calif./El Rancho) and Kandis Canonica (Burlingame, Calif./St. Ignatius Prep) pace the Bison offense with 31 points apiece, although five players have already tallied at least 20 points.

On the defensive side of the pool Jennifer Swoyer (Erie, Pa./McDowell) has a team-high 17 steals, while Alison Carter (Costa Mesa, Calif./Newport Harbor) has 53 saves to bring her career total to within seven of 100.

Bucknell will be in action at the Maryland Invitational this weekend. It will face Villanova and Wagner on Saturday and Iona on Sunday in College Park, Md.