Jan. 24, 2007

BRIDGEPORT, Pa. - The Mercyhurst College women's water polo team was chosen 10th in the Preseason Top 10 by the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA). The Lakers were the only program in the poll that is not a Division I institution.

Mercyhurst finished last season at No. 10 in the CWPA rankings, the first time the Lakers had appeared in the poll. Mercyhurst had its third-straight winning season in 2006, setting a school record with 15 wins in the process.

Hartwick was chosen as the preseason No. 1. Hartwick competes on the Division I level in women's water polo and men's soccer, but is a member of Division III in all other sports.

The Lakers kick off their season on February 10 at the Hunkler Shootout, hosted by Slippery Rock.

Rank	School	Final 2006 Poll	Points
1	Hartwick College	1	100
2	University of Michigan	2	95
3	Princeton University	3	90
4	Indiana University	5	82
5	Brown University	6	79
6	Bucknell University	4	76
7	University of Maryland	7	73
8	Harvard University	8	65
9	George Washington University	9	60
10	Mercyhurst College	10	55