HONOLULU — The University of Hawai'i women's water polo team enters the 2024 season tied for fifth in the Collegiate Water Polo Association Women's Varsity National Top 25.
 
The Rainbow Wahine tied Big West rival UC Irvine for fifth in the preseason poll with 82 points in voting by a panel of coaches representing eight conferences and organizations.
 
UH placed sixth in the final 2023 poll following a 21-6 season with a 6-1 mark in the Big West and is scheduled to face 13 teams ranked in the 2024 preseason poll, including 11 of the top 13.
 
The Rainbow Wahine open Maureen Cole's 13^th and final season as head coach by taking on No. 13 Michigan in Fresno State's Polo-Palooza on Jan. 20. Later in the day, UH will face two-time defending national champion Stanford. The Cardinal enter the season tied with USC atop the CWPA preseason poll.
 
UH makes its home debut against No. 8 Princeton on Jan. 26 in the Rainbow Invitational at Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex. Azusa Pacific and No. 9 Fresno State are also entered in the two-day tournament.
 
UH's home schedule also includes a visit from USC on March 16 at DKAC and Big West matches against Cal State Fullerton (March 22), No. 21 CSUN (March 23), No. 10 UC San Diego (March 29) and No. 12 UC Santa Barbara (April 13).