August 22, 2011

Harvard Women's Water Polo Earns ACWPC Honors

The Harvard's women's water polo team had the fourth-highest GPA of 29 teams as eight competitors are named to the 2011 ACWPC all-academic team. (photo courtesy of Harvard Athletic Communications)

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Harvard women’s water polo team has placed 10 of its athletes on the 2011 women's all-academic team as determined by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches.

The Crimson registered the fourth-highest grade point average (3.344) out of 29 schools. Only Connecticut (3.500), Macalester (3.470), and Wheaton Ill., (3.430) finished with higher marks. 

Riley Kessler, a freshman attacker last year, garnered “outstanding” honors  for her academic achievements. Kessler had previously been named to the Collegiate Water Polo Association 2011 Scholar-Athlete team also receiving “outstanding” status. Kessler finished her freshman campaign tallying seven goals, six assists and nine steals.

Graduating seniors Patricia Smith  Shami Entenman,  junior Elise Molnar and sophomore Christie Disilvestro all earned “superior” status on the academic team, while sophomore Shayna Price, junior Aisha Price, and seniors Devan Kennifer, Elizabeth Abbot, and Monica Zdrojewski secured “excellent” accolades .

The Crimson ended the 2011 season with a 17-15 record while going 2-3 in conference play. The squad finished 2-2, with wins over Gannon and Bucknell at the CWPA Eastern Championship in Bloomington, Ind., to place fifth.