RIVERSIDE--- The California Baptist men's water polo team is set to begin their 2024 season on Saturday morning as they gear up for their second year in the West Coast Conference on the heels of a successful 2023 campaign. Head Coach Kevin Rosa's squad will compete in eight home matches while playing in 15 on the road this year.

The Lancers return to the WCC for their second season after ending the previous season with a trip to the WCC Tournament Championship. Rosa added nine freshmen to the squad and returned a strong group of solid returners that will help lead the young team. Caleb Teraoka picked up his second career WCC Preseason Team nod after being named to the impressive list earlier this season. The graduate attacker had the third-most goals on the team last season with 48 and led the Lancers with 37 steals. Bodhi Bowden also returns for his senior season at CBU, boasting 55 goals last season and playing in all 38 matches.

As a team, CBU is coming off a 20-18 season that saw them compete in the WCC Tournament Championship and end the season ranked 16th nationally. In the 2024 WCC coaches' poll, the Lancers were selected to finish fifth, ahead of Santa Clara and Air Force. Pacific was selected as the favorites this season, while the 2023 WCC Tournament winners, San Jose State, were picked to finish second. Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount were chosen to finish third and fourth, respectively. In the national polls, CBU was ranked #17 in the top 20 programs, coming in just behind LMU and UC San Diego.

California Baptist is set to begin its season at the Bruno Classic this weekend and will face three nationally ranked squads. Rosa's team will kick off the season against #15 Harvard on Saturday morning before playing #14 Fordham and will round out the tournament on Sunday against Iona University and #20 Brown. Historically, the Lancers have been successful over the Crimson and own a 7-6 all-time record against the Ivy League university. The first game of the season is set to be streamed on ESPN+ for fans.

Rosa begins his ninth year at the helm of the CBU men's water polo, amassing 169 wins during his Lancer career. Assistant Coach Zach Lowery also returns to CBU for his third season.