HAYWARD, Calif. – Cal State East Bay women's water polo will officially begin its 2015 playing schedule on Friday, Jan. 16, at the LouStrong Memorial Tournament hosted by San Jose State. The Pioneers return 11 members from last year's team that finished runner-up in the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Championships for the first time in program history.

Offensively however it will be a new look squad with the Pioneers losing more than half of their scoring from a season ago. Nearly half of the team's scoring graduated this past summer in former seniors Sara Hudyn, Allison Zell, and Julia Charlesworth.

"I feel our offense is very-well rounded and has a lot of people who can shoot. Obviously Sara left some big shoes to fill, but I am confident we will step up as a team and have a lot of different people scoring. It is great to have a lot of offensive threats on this year's squad," said 13th year Head Coach Lisa Cooper.

Two-meter standouts Ka'iliponi McGee and Taylor Cross were welcome additions to last year's squad. The Pioneer pair combined for 61 goals, 43 steals, 40 drawn exclusions, and 31 assists during their first season in Hayward. Cross earned Second Team All-WWPA and McGee received Honorable Mention distinction in 2014.

"This is Taylor and Poni's second year with us. They are both more experienced within our system and I expect them to be forces at the 2-meter position along with Olivia Mackell and Alyssa Hess," Cooper added.

Former Pioneer two-meter standout Liz Warren returns to Hayward as part of the Cal State East Bay coaching staff in 2015. She will work with the current hole sets including McGee, Cross, and company.

Fellow newcomer a season ago in Australian Olivia Mackell was named to the WWPA All-Freshman Team. She finished with 10 goals, 14 assists, 33 drawn ejections, and nine steals in her first collegiate season.

Perth natives Mackell and junior Casey Rushforth earned coveted spots on the Western Australia Junior National Team. Rushforth saw increased time last season and finished with 16 goals and had 33 steals to lead all returning players on this year's team.

"Casey and Liv gained valuable experience playing for Western Australia juniors over the summer. They were playing amongst the best junior players in the country from which they learn a lot and grow as water polo players," Cooper stated.

Senior goalkeeper Marrina Nation took down All-WWPA Second Team honors a year ago. She continues the strong lineage of Pioneer goalkeepers after posting a career-high 307 saves last season and 574 in her three collegiate seasons.

"Marrina has really grown over the last three years and I am excited for her senior year. Her leadership and communication on defense is excellent and will only get better as the season progresses. (Coach Jayme Pekarske) does an excellent job with our goalies and teaches them to be defensive leaders," praised Cooper.

Nation is one of four seniors on the 2015 team including McGee, Bre Ritter, and newcomer Alyssa Hess. Ritter contributed 13 goals, 13 steals and 11 assists in her first active season with East Bay. Hess was a late addition by way of Azusa Pacific and will join a talented group of two-meter players.

Eleven of the 17 active members on this year's team are upperclassmen. Cooper welcomes six transfers with five either juniors or seniors with significant collegiate experience.

Nayiri Kechichian and Sabrina Hatzer remain teammates after coming north from Los Angeles Valley College. The two will transition together once again and likely have an immediate impact in filling the scoring void.

"Sabrina and Nayiri are two of the top scorers in junior college combining for more than 200 goals last season. They also have great chemistry having played together at (Crescenta Valley High School) as well as junior college," said Coach Cooper. 

Juniors Kristin Boston (American River College) and Tori Dettloff (San Joaquin Delta College), along with Katelyn Clark (Ohlone College) round out the new faces in Pioneer caps to start 2015.

Juniors Simonne Call and Jenn Lightbody are two of the six drivers listed on the East Bay roster heading into Friday's season opener. Last year they combined for 17 goals, 29 assists, and 26 steals.

Sophomores Shelbie Higginson, Amy Chinn, and Mackell return to Hayward with a year of collegiate experience. Higginson and Chinn will compete for playing time as drivers on this year's team.

Freshman Miranda Diehm redshirted last season and will begin the year as the team's backup goalkeeper.