UCI quartet earns honors

The quartet of Cortney Collyer, Jessy Cardey, Caitlin Haskell and Danielle Warde helped the UC Irvine women’s water polo team make history.

They were named to the Assn. of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches 2011 All-America teams, marking the first time UC Irvine has had four honorees in a single year. Three Anteaters received honorable mention accolades in 2010 for the previous high.

“[The 2011 season] was the most successful season in UC Irvine women’s water polo history,” Coach Dan Klatt said in a release. “The goal of each player in this program is to help the team reach its full potential. When the team performs at a high level and achieves success, it can be expected that individual players will be recognized for their contributions. I am very proud of all the players that made it possible, through their commitment and sacrifices, for these four players to be honored by the Assn. of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches as All Americans.”

Collyer becomes the first Anteater to be voted to one of the top three teams after receiving third-team distinction. Cardey, Haskell and Warde were honorable mention. It is the second consecutive year Collyer and Cardey have been recognized by the ACWPC with both attackers being named honorable mention in 2010.

Collyer, the All-Big West Tournament Most Valuable Player, scored 46 goals for the Anteaters to increase her career total to 134 and conclude her collegiate career sixth in UCI history. Collyer was named to the NCAA All-Tournament second team after putting away five goals in postseason action.

Cardey was voted the Big West Player of the Year and secured a spot on the NCAA All-Tournament team after scoring seven goals, including three in the opening round match against No. 4 USC. On the season the sophomore posted 58 goals for the Anteaters.

Haskell, an All-Big West second-team pick, totaled 36 goals to finish fourth on the team. The senior attacker opened the season scoring in seven straight matches, including posting two goals each in the first four games. Haskell would put together two seven-match scoring streaks over the season for UCI.

Warde was voted the Big West Freshman of the Year after putting away 60 goals, the most ever by a freshman in a single season at UCI. The utility player tallied a personal-best five goals in a single game three times, including five against Iona to help the program to its first NCAA Tournament win.

The Anteaters advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history after winning their third consecutive Big West Tournament crown. UCI, which was undefeated in conference matches at 5-0, went 23-9 to tie a single-season high in wins and single-season low in losses, both set in 2009.

— From staff reports