BERKELEY, Calif. - The No. 4 ranked Hawai`i women's water polo team took fourth place at the 2005 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships falling to No. 2 USC, 12-6, at the University of California's Spieker Aquatic Complex today.

USC jumped to a 5-1 lead after the first quarter en route to a 12-6 victory as four Trojans scored multiple goals.

UH utility Iefke Van Belkum posted five goals in the loss, her second highest total of the season, as Hawai`i falls to 20-9 on the season. All-American Beth Novick netted the only other goal for UH.

USC takes third place in the tournament, improving to 23-4.

The Rainbow Wahine will wait and see if they are one of the three at-large selections into the 2005 NCAA Women's Water Polo Championships. The announcement is Monday at 2 p.m. HST.

UH 1 1 2 2 - 6
USC 5 2 1 4 - 12

Goals
UH - Iefke Van Belkum 5, Beth Novick.
USC - Erika Figge 2, Eszter Gyori 2, Brittany Hayes 2, Jana Wenger 2, Melissa Madrid, Miranda Nichols, Anna Pardo, Lauren Wenger.

Saves UH - Meike De Nooy 3.
USC - Sarah Mix 3.