The University of Hawaii women’s water polo team, ranked sixth nationally, secured a 13-9 win over No. 14 UC San Diego in its home opener at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex on Saturday.
Sophomore Ema Vernoux led the Rainbow Wahine with five goals, her season best. Goalkeeper Daisy Logtens contributed with 10 saves and three steals. With this victory, Hawaii improved its overall record to 10-3 and remained undefeated in Big West play at 3-0. The team has now extended its conference winning streak to 23 matches.
Hawaii started strong, scoring three goals within the first four minutes. Vernoux converted a penalty shot just 20 seconds into the match, followed by goals from Gabrielle Doyle and another from Vernoux during a power play. After UC San Diego responded with two goals, Sienna Walker scored twice for Hawaii, giving them a 5-2 lead after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Ariadna Temprano Xambó scored on a power play. UC San Diego added one goal before Hawaii answered with scores from Agatha Weston and Temprano Xambó again. The Tritons scored just before halftime to reduce Hawaii’s lead to 8-4.
During the third quarter, both teams scored three times each. The Tritons opened the half with a goal; Vernoux completed her hat trick soon after. Following another UCSD goal, Raha Peiravani and Vernoux added back-to-back scores for Hawaii. The Tritons managed one more goal late in the period as Hawaii maintained its four-point advantage entering the final quarter.
UC San Diego scored twice in the last frame but could not close the gap as Vernoux netted her fifth goal and Doyle added another for Hawaii.
Following this home win, Hawaii will travel to Northern California for two games: they face UC Davis on March 13 in a Big West matchup and then play No. 4 California on March 15 in Berkeley.
