After three weeks ranked eighth nationally, San Jose State University can reclaim the eighth spot or higher in weekend action at the UC Irvine Invitational, February 23 and 24.

            The ninth-ranked Spartans (6-3) are one of 16 teams, in the two-day tournament that features 15-ranked teams including the top nine in the February 20 Collegiate Water Polo Association national coaches' poll.

            San Jose State opens play on February 23 against #8-Hawaii (4-3 before the February 21 match at Claremont College) at 10:15 a.m. (PST). The Spartans last played February 2 & 3 at the Stanford Invitational and split four contests. San Jose State is facing Hawai'i for the first time this season.

            "We worked on our mistakes that we had at Stanford," said San Jose State co-captain Kimber Methvin about the last 2.5 weeks of practice. "We worked on our defensive strategy and on offense, learning each and getting the people who should be posting up to post up and get the middle clear."

            Following the match against Hawaii, the Spartans will face either #1-ranked Stanford for the second time in February or CSU Bakersfield. Stanford defeated San Jose State, 15-4, at the Stanford Invitational.

            If the Spartans take on host #6-UC Irvine on Sunday, February 24, the match will be streamed live. Click here for information.

Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association weekly poll

February 20, 2013