Defending champions top both CCCWPCA men's and women's water polo Top Ten polls
September 12, 2025
SANTA CRUZ - The 3C2A men’s and women’s water polo regular seasons gained momentum last week, with just a handful of squads yet to hit the water in 2025. Both CCCWPCA polls are topped by the defending state champions – eight-time champs Golden West for the men, and Long Beach City for the women. Lots of familiar teams populate the rest of the rankings, led by 2024 state men’s and women’s runners-up West Valley and Santa Barbara City, respectively.
The state’s pools continue to churn with tournaments this week and don’t be surprised if there’s movement in next week’s rankings.
| CCCWPCA MEN'S RANKINGS | |||
| RK | COLLEGE | REC | NOTES |
| 1. | GOLDEN WEST | 0-0 | Defending champs open 2025 right where they ended 2024, at the top |
| 2. | WEST VALLEY | 6-0 | 4-0 at Nyquist, wins over #3 Cuesta, #4 Long Beach |
| 3. | CUESTA | 4-2 | 2-0 at Merced North vs. South, hard-fought loss to #2 West Valley |
| 4. | LONG BEACH CITY | 3-1 | Trio of double-digit wins at Nyquist, 12-9 loss to #2 West Valley |
| 5. | AMERICAN RIVER | 4-2 | Only 2025 losses to D1 San José St. and Stanford |
| 6. | CYPRESS | 4-0 | 4-0 at own tourney, including win over #9 Ventura |
| 7. | MT. SAN ANTONIO | 3-1 | 3-1 at Air Force tourney, including 16-15 win over D1 Air Force Academy |
| 8. | SIERRA | 2-0 | Host #5 American River in Big 8 opener Sept. 17 |
| 9. | VENTURA | 4-1 | 3-1 mark at Cypress Mini Tournament |
| 10. | DIABLO VALLEY | 5-3 | 2-2 at the Nyquist, fell 15-14 to #3 Cuesta |
| CCC CCCWPCA WOMEN'S RANKINGS | |||
| RK | COLLEGE | REC | NOTES |
| 1. | LONG BEACH CITY | 4-0 | Defending champs roll through Cuesta Invitational |
| 2. | SANTA BARBARA | 4-0 | Also 4-0 at Cuesta, wins over #8 OCC, #10 Cuesta |
| 3. | RIVERSIDE CITY | 0-0 | Open 2025 at OCC tourney, faces #1 LBCC Saturday in early-season showdown |
| 4. | SIERRA | 4-0 | Unbeaten at Palomar/SD Mesa Mini tournaments |
| 5. | AMERICAN RIVER | 4-0 | Two-week break after 4-0 start at Marin Kick-Off, beat #9 Fullerton |
| 6. | SAN DIEGO MIRAMAR | 3-1 | Looking to build on solid 2024, only loss to #4 Sierra |
| 7. | SAN JOAQUIN DELTA | 0-0 | Mustangs chomping at the bit to open 2025, @ Fresno City Sept. 17 |
| 8. | ORANGE COAST | 2-2 | 2-2 at Cuesta Invite, fell to #1 LBCC and #2 SBCC |
| 9. | FULLERTON | 2-2 | 2-2 at Marin Kick-Off, face #2 SBCC at OCC tourney Sept. 12 |
| 10. | CUESTA | 5-1 | Hit the road for four games at the West Valley Invitational |
(Rankings by Matt Folsom, CCCWPCA)