Princeton University Athletics
Lindsey Lucas was named CWPA Most Valuable Player
Photo by: ©2024 Shelley M. Szwast
Lucas and Ellingson Earn Top CWPA Yearly Honors; Three Named First-Team All-Conference
April 24, 2024 | Women's Water Polo
PRINCETON – The Princeton Women's Water Polo Team had Lindsey Lucas named Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Most Valuable Player while Derek Ellingson was honored as Coach of the Year.
Lucas is the third player in program history be named Player of the Year, joining Ashleigh Johnson in 2015 and Jovana Sekulic in 2023. Lucas was also picked as First-Team All-Conference. She went 16-6 this season with a .554 save percentage and 222 saves, adding 20 steals. She produced 12 games in 2024 with at least 10 saves including a season-best 17 stops vs. No. 21 San Diego State (Feb. 18) and vs. No. 11 Michigan (Apr. 6). Lucas was named Defensive Player of the Week seven times. This is her second First-Team All-Conference accolade and second major conference award as she was Rookie of the Year in 2023.
Kayla Yelensky was honored as First-Team All-Conference, producing 60 goals, 20 assists along with 40 drawn ejections and 30 steals. Her 60 tallies already matches her career high. She scored in 24 of the team's 27 games, recording 10 hat tricks and 18 multi-goal performances. The junior set a new personal mark with five tallies vs. Azusa Pacific (Jan. 27), Mt. St Mary's (Feb. 18) and vs. Iona (Mar. 20). She picked up two Player of the Week selections this season. This is her third all-conference nomination and second first-team pick.
Rachael Carver was named First-Team All-Conference as she led the team in points with 87. She has put up 32 goals and a team-best 65 assists while also contributing 19 drawn ejections and 17 steals. Carver has eight multi-goal games including two hat tricks and has snagged an assist in all but two games. The junior has 19 multi-assist contests including a career-high six helpers in a comeback victory over Wagner (Mar. 28). She earned CWPA Player of the Week twice this campaign. This is her first all-conference honor.
Princeton is 21-6 this season and currently on a seven-game winning streak. The Tigers went undefeated in conference action and at home (12-0). 13 of the Princeton's 21 victories were against ranked foes. This is the third time that Ellingson has been named Coach of the Year.
Lucas is the third player in program history be named Player of the Year, joining Ashleigh Johnson in 2015 and Jovana Sekulic in 2023. Lucas was also picked as First-Team All-Conference. She went 16-6 this season with a .554 save percentage and 222 saves, adding 20 steals. She produced 12 games in 2024 with at least 10 saves including a season-best 17 stops vs. No. 21 San Diego State (Feb. 18) and vs. No. 11 Michigan (Apr. 6). Lucas was named Defensive Player of the Week seven times. This is her second First-Team All-Conference accolade and second major conference award as she was Rookie of the Year in 2023.
Kayla Yelensky was honored as First-Team All-Conference, producing 60 goals, 20 assists along with 40 drawn ejections and 30 steals. Her 60 tallies already matches her career high. She scored in 24 of the team's 27 games, recording 10 hat tricks and 18 multi-goal performances. The junior set a new personal mark with five tallies vs. Azusa Pacific (Jan. 27), Mt. St Mary's (Feb. 18) and vs. Iona (Mar. 20). She picked up two Player of the Week selections this season. This is her third all-conference nomination and second first-team pick.
Rachael Carver was named First-Team All-Conference as she led the team in points with 87. She has put up 32 goals and a team-best 65 assists while also contributing 19 drawn ejections and 17 steals. Carver has eight multi-goal games including two hat tricks and has snagged an assist in all but two games. The junior has 19 multi-assist contests including a career-high six helpers in a comeback victory over Wagner (Mar. 28). She earned CWPA Player of the Week twice this campaign. This is her first all-conference honor.
Princeton is 21-6 this season and currently on a seven-game winning streak. The Tigers went undefeated in conference action and at home (12-0). 13 of the Princeton's 21 victories were against ranked foes. This is the third time that Ellingson has been named Coach of the Year.
Players Mentioned
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