HAYWARD, Calif. -- The Cal State East Bay water polo team has been picked to finish in second place in the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) for the fourth straight year, according to a preseason poll of the conference's six head coaches. 

Six-time WWPA champion UC San Diego was tabbed to capture the league crown for the fifth straight season, earning 25 points and five first place votes. The Pioneers were behind them with 20 points and one first place vote, followed by Sonoma State in third place with 17 points. Mercyhurst (14 points), Cal State Monterey Bay (9 points), and Gannon (5 points) rounded out the last three spots.

Click here to view the complete WWPA preseason release.

CSUEB is coming off a 2016 season in which it finished 16-11 overall and fell to UCSD in the WWPA Championship game for the third straight year. They have seven seniors returning under 15th-year head coach Lisa Cooper, led by All-WWPA goalkeeper Nikki Vaughan and four-year starter Olivia Mackell.

The Pioneers and Tritons both represent the WWPA in the initial national top-25 rankings, with Cal State East Bay receiving one vote in the Preseason Coaches Poll. CSUEB is one of just three Division II institutions to receive votes, joining No. 11 UCSD and No. 22 California Baptist. Last season, the Pioneers appeared in the rankings at No. 25 the first week in February. 

East Bay opens the 2017 this weekend when they travel to Fresno Pacific for a 1 p.m. game at Sunnyside Aquatic Center.