Princeton University Athletics
No. 6 Princeton Women's Water Polo Announces Class of 2019
May 14, 2015 | Women's Water Polo
PRINCETON, N.J. – Princeton University head women's water polo coach Luis Nicolao has announced the four student-athletes that will comprise the program's Class of 2019.
Coming off a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Tournament, the Tigers posted a 31-5 overall mark in 2015, tying a program record for wins. Capturing their third CWPA title in four seasons (fourth overall), Princeton finished tied for sixth in the final CWPA Varsity Top-20 poll, earning the best ranking in program history.
Eliza Britt, Attacker, Newport Beach, Calif., Corona del Mar High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letterwinner…helped Corona del Mar to a CIF Div. 1 runner-up finish as a freshman and a conference championship as a sophomore…team earned quarterfinal berth as a junior and reached CIF semifinals during her final season…first-team all-League, second-team All-CIF and Newport Mesa Dream Team honors as a junior…first-team all-league and second-team All-CIF as a senior…also a four-year letterwinner for swim team.
CLUB TEAM: Played for CdM Aquatics…helped team to 12th-place finish at 2014 Junior Olympics and New Zealand Panpacs Tournament championship…named MVP of Panpacs Tournament…also played for Anteater Water Polo.
ODP/NATIONAL TEAM EXPERIENCE: Selected to 16U ODP 'A' team.
ACADEMICS: Four-time high honor roll recipient…scholar-athlete with honors as a sophomore and scholar-athlete with distinction as a freshman…USA Water Polo Academic All-America as a junior…earned academic letter, Principal's Honor Roll and was a Gold Seal Bearer candidate as a junior.
Lindsey Kelleher, Utility, South Pasadena, Calif., Polytechnic High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letterwinner for the Panthers…helped team to a 94-12 record in four seasons…graduated as school's recordholder in goals, assists and steals…led team to CIF Southern Section IV runner-up finish in 2011 and championship in 2015…Prep League MVP (2011-15)…four-time first-team All-CIF Southern Section IV selection…CIF Southern Section IV Player of the Year as a senior…named team's Most Valuable Player all four seasons.
CLUB TEAM: Played for Rose Bowl Water Polo Club…named second-team All-America and led squad to first-place finish at the Junior Olympics in 2014…first-team All-America and third-place US Club Championship finish in 2013.
ODP/NATIONAL TEAM EXPERIENCE: Cadet and Youth National Team
ACADEMICS: Two-time USA Water Polo Academic All-America selection (2013-14).
Margarita Orlova, Utility, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Burnaby South Secondary
HIGH SCHOOL: Led Burnaby Combined to first-place finish in 2012…named to BC High School Championship All-Star team.
CLUB TEAM: Played for Pacific Storm Water Polo and Fraser Valley Water Polo clubs…also played with Huntington Beach Water Polo at 2014 Junior Olympics…named 2013 Fraser Valley Water Polo Most Valuable Player…National Club Championship All-Star Team (2013), Alberta Open All-Star Team (2013), BC Open All-Star Team (2013)…led club team to a third-place finish at National Club Championships (2010) and fourth-place showing in 2013…2014 Junior Olympics All-America selection.
ODP/NATIONAL TEAM EXPERIENCE: Member of Team BC since 2012…led squad to second-place Nation Youth Cup finish in 2013 and third-place finish in 2014…Western Identification Camp (2012), Canadian '96 Youth National Team Centralization…Canadian Youth National Team Member (for '96 and '97 teams)…helped U17 team to second-place finish at Pan American Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina…top scorer for '97 team trip to California…2014 Youth National Team Member ('97)…alternate for U18 FINA World Championships.
ACADEMIC: Honor roll all four years…BC Provincial Exam Passport to Education Scholarship…Work Ethic Roll (2010-15).
Charlotte Valentine, Utility, Orakei, Auckland, New Zealand, St. Cuthbert's College
HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letterwinner…helped team to a pair of third-place finishes in first two years…led squad to runner-up finish as a senior…served as a team captain during her final season…named Most Valuable Player and earned Water Polo Premier Award…high school MVP (2013, 2014)…Tournament MVP (2011).
CLUB TEAM: Played for Marist Auckland…captain for U18 Premier Girls (2014)…senior women's team member (2013-15).
ODP/NATIONAL TEAM EXPERIENCE: New Zealand U15 (2011)…New Zealand U16 (2012)…New Zealand U18 (2013)…New Zealand Youth Team (2014)…competed at World Championships in Madrid, Spain and Trans Tasman Cup in Australia…New Zealand Secondary School (2014)…New Zealand Junior Women's (2015).
ACADEMIC: Dean's Honors…Top Scholar: biology, English and Spanish (2014)…Top Scholar English (2013)…Scholar's Award (2013, 2014)…Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship recipient.