Princeton University Athletics
Women's Water Polo Boasts Talented Incoming Class of 2016
May 21, 2012 | Women's Water Polo
Princeton head women's water polo coach Luis Nicolao announced the addition of four student-athletes to join the reigning Eastern Champion Tigers for the 2013 campaign. Joining Princeton as the Class of 2016 is: Ashleigh Johnson, Kimberly "Kimi" Klein, Diana Murphy and Pippa Temple.
"We are really excited about the incoming freshmen class and the depth they are going to add to our team. Our biggest goal was to find a goalie to replace Kristen (Ward) and we feel like we did that. We think all four will come in as freshmen and give us substantial minutes," said Nicolao.
Ashleigh Johnson • Goalie • 6-1Miami, Fla./Ransom Everglades High School
A premier goalie in the nation, Ashleigh Johnson was an integral part in guiding the Ransom Everglades Raiders to three consecutive Florida State Championships. A four-year starter for the REHS, Johnson earned All-Dade honors throughout her career. The lone goalie in this year's incoming class, she also earned all-county honors twice in swimming and her team was state champion during her sophomore season.
Johnson played club water polo for the Gulliver Riptides for seven years and was an All-America Honorable Mention at the U18 Junior Olympics in 2010 and 2011. She was a member of the Youth National Team Selection Camp in 2010 and the Youth National Team in 2011.
She plans on pursing a pre-med major at Princeton with the hopes of attending medical school following her graduation.
"Ashleigh is one of the top recruits in the country this year. We are thrilled she is going to be a Tiger and there is no doubt Ashleigh will come in and have four great years," said Nicolao.
Kimberly "Kimi" Klein • Utility • 5-6Lafayette, Calif./Campolindo High School
A two-time Bay Area News Group Top-125 Athlete in the East Bay, Kimi Klein helped guide Campolindo to the North Coast Section (NCS) Championship game three times, including the 2010 title. Over her four-year starting career, Klein earned all-conference honors four times, earning three first team selections as a sophomore, junior and senior. She also was named to the All-East Bay First Team and to the All-NCS First Team in 2010 and 2011, and earned All-America honors as a senior. Klein holds CHS's all-time record for most goals scored with 248. She also was a member of the Cougar swimming team.
Klein played water polo for the Diablo Club Team for six years, reaching the US Junior Olympics Final Four in 2011, and earning the bronze medal at the 2009 US Club Championships and the gold medal at the US Junior Olympics in 2008. She was also a member of the USA Water Polo Junior National Development Team (2011), the Junior Training Team (2010), Water Polo Youth National Team (2009) and Youth National Training Team (2008). From 2008-11, Klein was a member of the Pacific Zone Olympic Development Team.
Klein is interested in majoring in either economics or political science at Princeton.
"Kimi is a solid all-around player on both ends of the pool. She will jump right in and will become one of our premier 2-meter defenders," said Nicolao.
Diana Murphy • Utility • 5-11Corona del Mar, Calif./Corona del Mar High School
A three-year letterwinner at Corona del Mar, Diana Murphy is a two-time All-CIF selection. Murphy was selected to the Daily Pilot Dream Team and Southern California Invitational All-Tournament Team as a junior and senior. In 2012, she was named the MVP of the Santa Barbara Tournament and to the All-Tournament Team. Murphy also competed in swimming for the Seakings.
She played club water polo for Corona del Mar for 10 years and for SoCal Club for a year. In 2011, Murphy was named an All-America at the Junior Olympics.
The third member of her family to play collegiate water polo, Murphy's older brother Jacob played water polo at UCLA and professionally in Australia and Greece, and her older sister Kate played water polo at UC Santa Barbara. She hopes to major in art history or English at Princeton.
"We are always looking for players to come in at the 2-meter position. Diana will come in and be one of our top centers next year," said Nicolao
Pippa Temple • Utility • 5-10Atherton, Calif./Sacred Heart Preparatory
Pippa Temple helped lead Sacred Heart Prep to four consecutive CCS Championships and three WCAL Championships over her four-year starting career. She is the only Gator to ever play on four CCS Championship teams. Temple earned All-CCS honors four times, including first team accolades as a junior and senior, and All-WCAL First Team honors twice. In 2011, she was named the CCS Division II MVP, Palo Alto Daily Athlete of the Year, Cal-Hi Sports CCS Scholar Athlete of the Year and to the CCS Senior All-Star Team. Temple also competed in swimming at SHP, qualifying for CCS in the 500 free and earning All-WBAL Second Team honors in 2011.
Temple played for Stanford Water Polo Club from 2005-12. She was named a Junior Olympic All-America in 2010 and earned MVP honors at the BC Open in 2012, following her club winning the tournament championship. From 2009-11, Temple was a member of the ODP Northern California All-Region team, the Youth National Team Selection Camp and to the Youth National Training Team.
Temple is undecided on a potential major, but is interested in pursuing a career in law.
"Pippa is an all-around quality player who can do everything well. She will jump right in, compete for minutes as a freshman and will add to the depth of our team," said Nicolao.