January 27, 2009

While snow and freezing weather bombard most of the nation, Pomona-Pitzer athletes train and prepare for the spring season under ideal conditions. With Women's Water Polo and Softball starting up this weekend, and Baseball, Track & Field, Golf, Lacrosse, and Men's and Women's Tennis not far behind, student-athletes could not ask for better weather under which to prepare. As athletes returned from the holiday break, they were greeted with sunny skies, snow-capped mountains, and 80-plus degree weather.

This past weekend, Women's Water Polo opened the season at the University of Redlands, sinking the Bulldogs 9-7 in the Bulldog Mini-Tournament. In 2008, the Water Polo team finished capped a successful season as SCIAC Champions for the second consecutive season. On Sunday, February 1, the team will travel to UC Irvine for the UC Irvine Mini Tournament.

In addition to Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving (Saturday, January 31 at 10:30 am at Haldeman Pool), and Men's and Women's Basketball ( Saturday, January 31 at 5 and 7:30 pm), the Softball team will open the 2009 season with a double-header against Patten University beginning at 12 noon. Last year, the Sagehen's posted a 21-19 overall record for their first winning season in program history.

Baseball will kick off the 2009 season on Februaary 13-14 with a three-game home series against Pacific University.Last year, the Sagehen's took two out of three from the Pioneers en route to a 27-13 overall record.

The 30th ranked Men's Tennis Team will start the season on February 14 with a double-header. First, the team will host the 13th ranked University of Redlands, and then travel to UC Riverside to take on the University of Nevada-Reno Wolfpack. The Women's Tennis Team, currently ranked seventh in the nation, will open the season on February 20 at home against Whittier College.

On February 21, Men's and Women's Track & Field will begin the season, hosting the annual Pomona-Pitzer All-Comers Meet, beginning at 10:30 am.

Women's Lacrosse will open the season at home against Whitter College on February 25 under the lights of Merritt Field at 7:00 pm.

The Golf team, looking stronger than ever, will begin the season on February 06, competing against La Sierra University.