Laguna Beach water polo standouts Riches, Evans headed to Ivy League schools

The Laguna Beach High girls’ water polo class of 2018 has already proved its talent in the pool, helping the Breakers claim an undefeated 2017 season and their third CIF Southern Section Division 1 title in four years.

In the classroom, the Breakers are also impressive, and that trend continued Monday when utility player Isabel Riches and attacker Alana Evans confirmed they have committed to Ivy League schools.

Riches has committed to Brown University, while Evans has committed to Princeton University.

Both are going back east after their senior year at Laguna Beach this year.

“I feel like they have a family, similar to what we have here at Laguna,” said Riches, who had 21 goals and 24 steals last season, of choosing Brown. She said she plans to be on a pre-med track.

Princeton, the runner-up last year in the Collegiate Water Polo Assn., gets Evans. She said she wanted to go somewhere on the East Coast, unlike her older sister Haley, who plays at UCLA.

Evans, who had 24 goals, 27 assists and 37 steals last season, said she will likely study something involving psychology.

“It really shows our dedication to water polo and academics, and being able to strike the balance,” Evans said. “Going to an Ivy League school, they emphasize having a balance between water polo and school. You’re really going to school for your future, and not just four years of water polo.”

There are now four members of this Breakers girls’ water polo class committed. Evan Tingler has committed to Harvard and goalie Thea Walsh has committed to Stanford.

For those keeping score, that’s four of the most prestigious colleges in the country.

“We have a really talented group of individuals this year, both in and out of the pool,” Riches said. “Also, [coach] Ethan [Damato] does an amazing job of training us to be good people and good players. His leadership is a vital part of our success.”

matthew.szabo@latimes.com

Twitter: @mjszabo