The University of Hawaii Wahine water polo squad kicked off the 2002 season with a second place finish at the Michigan Invitational, January 26-27. The Wahine finished the weekend with a 3-1 record with its sole loss coming to tourney champion UC Santa Barbara.

The Wahine, ranked No. 7 in the preseason poll, defeated No. 20 Indiana, Michigan State and No. 15 Michigan, but fell to No. 6 UC Santa Barbara.

Hawaii cruised on the first day of competition. The Wahine opened the season by beating Indiana, 11-8 on the strength of four goals by Chelsea Garner-Prohs. UH then clobbered Michigan State, 17-7. Fourteen players scored for the Wahine, led by Beth Novick’s three goals.

On the second day UH suffered its first setback when it fell to UC Santa Barbara, 9-8. The Wahine jumped out to a 3-0 lead and led 4-3 at halftime, but could not hang on. Garner-Prohs and Jennifer Hodge led UH with three goals each. Against host Michigan, UH scored three goals in the matches first five minutes and never looked back in a 9-6 win. Novick had a match-high four goals, while Karin van Hoff added three.

The Wahine return home to the Duke Kahanamoku Pool to play the alumnae match on Saturday, February 2 at 6 p.m.

Michigan Invitational Final Standings Saturday-Sunday, January 26-27, 2002 Canham Natatorium, Ann Arbor, Mich.

1. Cal-Santa Barbara (4-0) 2. Hawaii (3-1) 3. Michigan (2-2) 4. Indiana (1-3) 5. Michigan State (0-4)