VILLANOVA, Pa.—Villanova water polo head coach Michael Gordon and his team are ready for the start of the 2024 season. Here is everything you need to know about the program.
Gordon is entering his first season at the helm. He served as assistant coach the previous five seasons and was a part of 58 Villanova victories. Joining Gordon as an assistant coach is former Wildcat great Kaysie Stuba. Stuba is third in program history in goals and set the single season record with 100 goals during her senior season in 2022.
The Wildcats are coming off a 14-19 finish last season, falling one goal short of a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) tournament appearance. They are led by senior captain and former Second Team All-MAAC selection
Stella Byles, who set the single game scoring record her freshman season when she poured in nine goals against VMI. Fellow senior and goalie
Abigail Shelby will play a big role for the 'Cats alongside junior center defender Emily Mckenzie.
The non-conference slate consists of five weekend tournaments leading up to MAAC conference play beginning on March 16. The Wildcats will open the season hosting the Villanova Invitational on January 27 and 28 featuring Mercyhurst, Gannon, and MAAC foes Iona and Mount St. Mary's.
Following tournaments include the VMI Invitational (Virginia Military), Bison Invitational (Bucknell), Princeton Invitational, and the Convergence Tournament (CA).
"Coming off a really strong offseason with a high level of training and performance in our six preseason games we are looking forward to a great upcoming season", said Gordon. "With a talented incoming freshman class that will add to our strong roster we have set high expectations for this team".
The MAAC is one of the most competitive water polo conferences in the nation with three teams ranked in the preseason top 25 (Wagner, LIU, Marist). The Wildcats were picked to finish seventh out of nine teams.
For the first time in program history home matches will be streamed live on FloSwimming. With the first stream taking place on January 27, when the Wildcats host Mercyhurst at 10 a.m. inside the VU Swim Complex.
| 2024 MAAC Water Polo Coaches' Poll |
| T1 |
LIU |
76 (5) |
| T1 |
Wagner |
76 (4) |
| 3 |
Marist |
64 |
| T4 |
Iona |
45 |
| T4 |
LaSalle |
45 |
| 6 |
Mount St. Mary's |
35 |
| 7 |
Villanova |
28 |
| 8 |
Siena |
25 |
| 9 |
Virginia Military |
11 |
