Ann Arbor, Mich.-----Senior Anna Natalizio and freshman Rae Lekness each scored six times in two separate victories as #9-San Jose State University defeated #11-Michigan, 9-6, and Colorado State, 16-8, on the final day of the Michigan Kick-Off women's water polo tournament.

Lekness, a freshman from Calgary, Alberta, was the Spartans' (3-1) offensive weapon in the win over #11-Michigan (1-2) to open the day's action. She accounted for the last six goals, five of them in the second half.  San Jose State never trailed in the match and took the lead for good at 3:05 of the first quarter on the first of two scores by Natalizio.

            Orla Brazell, who scored once in each of San Jose State's two wins, scored the Spartans' first second-quarter goal before the Lekness scoring barrage began.

            San Jose State goalkeeper Maddie Reardon was credited with nine saves in the Michigan win.

            "We turned things around. We did a very nice job today. We played well against Michigan and, obviously, very well against Colorado State," said San Jose State head coach Lou Tully.

            "Rae had some very nice goals and made her penalty shots (two). Anna (Natalizio) was very good. She scored mostly on counters (against Colorado State). Nobody could stay with her," Tully added about his two top scorers in the tournament.

            In the nightcap against Colorado State, Natalizio scored in every quarter en route to her single-match career high. The Spartans led, 5-2, after the first period and never had less than a three-goal lead the rest of the way.

            Seven other San Jose State players joined Natalizio in the scoring column. Lekness scored once in the Colorado State win and finished with 11 goals in her Spartan debut. Timi Molnar scored three times and co-captain Kimber Methvin added a pair in San Jose State's most one-sided victory in the early season.

            Natalizio, from Irvine, Calif., finished the four-match tournament as the Spartans' top scorer with 12 and now has 93 career goals heading into San Jose State's home opener against Michigan, Saturday, January 26, at The Aquatic Center. Match time is 12:00 p.m. (PST).