SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The second-ranked UCLA women's water polo team begins its 2016 season at the UCSB Winter Invitational this weekend, where the Bruins will face four top-20 teams in two days. 

On Saturday, Jan. 23, the Bruins go head to head with seventh-ranked Hawai'i, which plays two games on Friday.  In the final game of the day, UCLA will face No. 14 UCSB.

On Sunday, Jan. 24, UCLA plays No. 17 Long Beach State in the morning.  Later that day, the Bruins will wrap up tournament play with a game against No. 12 Michigan. 

The rest of the field includes Azusa Pacific, No. 4 California, Cal Baptist, CSU Bakersfield, No. 18 CSU Northridge, No. 8 San Jose State, No. 5 UC Irvine, UCSD, and No. 20 Wagner.  Tickets can be purchased via phone (805) 893-UCSB or online.  All-session tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for senior/youth/military.  Single day tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for senior/youth/military.     

At last year's Invitational, the Bruins went 4-0 with victories over Sonoma State, then No. 12 Long Beach State, then No. 14 UCSB, and Cal Baptist.  Former starting goalkeeper Sami Hill became UCLA's all-time saves leader when she hit 747 career saves after day one action against UCSB and Cal Baptist.

UCLA women's water polo returns 12 from last year's NCAA National Championship runner-up team.  Although the Bruins lose top attackers Rachel Fattal, Kodi Hill, and Alys Williams to the U.S. National Team this season to train for the 2016 Olympics, UCLA still has fire power in its lineup.  

Mackenzie Barr netted 35 goals last season, while Devin Grab and Charlotte Pratt notched 27 and 20, respectively.  In the cage, Alex Musselman and newcomer Carlee Kapana will be the last line of Bruin defense.  Last season, Musselman posted 21 saves in 10 games.  Kapana, a standout from Newport Harbor, was a member of the USA Senior National Team that won gold at the 2015 FINA World Championships last summer.  She also helped Team USA win gold at the Youth World Championships in 2014, where she was selected best goalkeeper.

2016 UCSB Winter Invitational Schedule
Jan. 22-24 at Santa Barbara, Calif. (Campus Pool/Rec Center)

Saturday
1:30 p.m. – No. 2 UCLA vs. No 7. Hawai'i (Rec Center)
6:00 p.m. – No. 14 UCSB vs. No. 2 UCLA (Rec Center)

Sunday
10:00 a.m. – No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 17 LBSU (Rec Center)
2:30 p.m. – No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 12 Michigan (Campus Pool)