PASADENA, Calif. – The Caltech women's water polo team has much to be excited about as they embark on their 2023 season this Saturday. The group welcomes five talented newcomers to a team that returns three sophomores, four juniors, and one senior.

At the helm of it all is seventh-year head coach Jon Bonafede, who believes this year's group can do something special.

"This is our most competitive team yet, and I'm looking forward to our first-year newcomers joining this squad," said Bonafede. "We're a young team with more experience and even more talent than previous years."

One of those experienced players who will help the group's young additions is junior driver Emma Gurcan, who achieved big things a season ago. Last spring, Gurcan scored 23 goals in conference play, which tied for third-most in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). The Oregon native was also third in steals (31), third in field blocks (10), and tied for eighth in points (30).

Also returning to the pool is the lone senior on the squad, center Amanda Piyapanee. The veteran had a strong 2022 season, finishing the year third in the conference in sprint wins (15), fifth in steals (18), and seventh in sprint win percentage, going 15-18 (.455). Piyapanee scored the third-most for the Beavers last year, finding the back of the net 18 times, and she was second in points after tying with Gurcan for the most assists on the team (12).

Two other names coming back for the Beavers in 2023 will be junior driver Tyler Fox and center defender Riya Shrivastava. Fox earned the second-most goals for the squad a year ago with 19, and was third in points with 24 after notching five assists. Shrivastava scored seven goals to go with eleven assists.

One of the more interesting situations comes with sophomore Sophia Slora, who played in the field last season but will be shifting to goalkepeer this spring. Slora showed her defensive abilities in 2022 after she led the conference in field blocks with 11 (T-1st).

"She's been working really hard developing her skills as a goalie," said Bonafede. "[She has] the right mindset to be a goalie -- she's an excellent swimmer and I look forward to seeing her grow into her role."

As for the first-year players, the team welcomes utlity Ava Barbano, center defender Maya Dickson, driver Madelyn Gilbert, center Mia Mutadich, and goalkeeper/utility Mahi Ravi.

Bonafede noted that Barbaro has a well-rounded skill set and is able to cover multiple different roles.

"Her character and personality is very cohesive with our group," said Bonafede.

Dickson is known for her defense and will be "instrumental" to the team's defensive tactics.

Gilbert has "great spatial awareness and can see the game a few moves ahead," said Bonafede. She should immediately make a big impact this year, he said.

Mutadich brings in international experience coming from the United Kingdom and playing water polo in Serbia. The team looks forward to using her experience to raise the level of the team.

Lastly, Ravi will add depth to the goalkeeper position. The Mountain View, California native has experience in different positions which the team believes will help in net.

With the skilled and accomplished new additions, the team is looking to step it up this season.

"We'll be able to employ stronger defensive tactics and strategies due to this squad's athleticism," said Bonafede. "We're looking forward to making history this year."

The squad will begin their season in St. Paul, Minnesota as they compete in the Macalester Invite. The group's first match will be versus Carthage College, a team who the Beavers defeated 13-8 last season, on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. After the tournament's completion, Caltech will return to Pasadena for their home opener on Monday, Mar. 6 at 5 p.m. SCIAC action will begin for the team on Wednesday, Mar. 8 at 7 p.m. at home, and Senior Day will be held on Saturday, Apr. 22 at 11 a.m. Follow the team on Instagram @caltechwaterpolo.