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University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics

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Femke Aan

Women's Water Polo

Water Polo Opens Season with Rainbow Invite

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i water polo team will make its highly anticipated season debut with the 2019 Rainbow Invite at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex this weekend. On Saturday, Jan. 19, the Rainbow Wahine will face Marist at noon and Sonoma State at 6 p.m. before taking on San Diego State on Sunday, Jan. 20, at 10:15 a.m.
 
Eighth-year head coach Maureen Cole has reason for optimism with a number of key returners from last year's Big West regular season Championship team. A year after posting a 21-5 record – the most wins for the program since the 2013 season – UH faces another difficult schedule in 2019, taking on four of the eight NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago.
 
Reigning Big West Player of the Year Irene Gonzalez headlines the talented group of returners. The three-time ACWPC All-American and All-Big West honoree scored a team-high 53 goals while tying for the team lead with 36 assists last season.
 
Other All-Big West performers back in the fold are Elyse Lemay-Lavoie (Second Team), Femke Aan (Honorable Mention) and Carmen Baringo (All-Freshman Team).  
 
The 'Bows went 2-1 in last year's Rainbow Invite with wins over Loyola Marymount and Marist to go with a defeat at the hands of Cal.
 
UH's first opponent in this year's event, Marist, is 0-1 on the season after falling at Arizona State by a 16-8 final score. Hawai'i leads the all-time series with the Red Foxes, 3-0, including a 20-7 victory a year ago. UH has gone 5-2 in season openers under Cole.
 
This weekend will mark the first action of the season for both Sonoma State and San Diego State. UH is 4-0 versus Sonoma State with a 15-1 win in 2018, while compiling a 25-10 mark against San Diego State having won four in a row over the Aztecs.
 
Following the action this weekend, the 'Bows will prepare for a Jan. 26 home game versus Arizona State.  Game time versus the Sun Devils is set for noon.
 
 
Opening Weekend Information
What: 2019 Rainbow Invite 
Dates: Saturday, Jan. 19 - Sunday Jan. 20
Where: Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex  - Honolulu, O'ahu
Promotions: UH sports marketing staff will be in the stands registering fans for a chance to win free food coupons each time UH scores a goal. Also, t-shirts will be thrown into the stands between each quarter of the UH matches.
 
Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019

Who: San Diego State vs. Sonoma State
When: 10:30 a.m. HT
Live Stats
 
Who: Hawai'i vs. Marist
When: 12 p.m. HT
Live Stats
 
Who: Marist vs. San Diego State
When: 4:30 p.m. HT
Live Stats
 
Who: Hawai'i vs. Sonoma State
When: 6 p.m. HT
Live Stats
 
Sunday, Jan. 20, 2019

Who: Sonoma State vs. Marist
When: 9 a.m. HT
Live Stats
 
Who: Hawai'i vs. San Diego State
When: 10:15 a.m.
Live Stats
 
#HawaiiWWP
 
 
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Femke Aan

#4 Femke Aan

Utility
5' 9"
Senior
Carmen Baringo

#8 Carmen Baringo

Utility
5' 11"
Sophomore
Irene Gonzalez

#14 Irene Gonzalez

Attacker
5' 8"
Senior
Elyse Lemay-Lavoie

#2 Elyse Lemay-Lavoie

Center
5' 9"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Femke Aan

#4 Femke Aan

5' 9"
Senior
Utility
Carmen Baringo

#8 Carmen Baringo

5' 11"
Sophomore
Utility
Irene Gonzalez

#14 Irene Gonzalez

5' 8"
Senior
Attacker
Elyse Lemay-Lavoie

#2 Elyse Lemay-Lavoie

5' 9"
Junior
Center