SALEM, W.Va. – With the revival of the women's water polo program at Salem University, the Tigers look to attack 2019 in full force.
 
The rebirth of the women's water polo program was announced in the summer of 2017, and in 2018 the program found a home in the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA). This marks the first season the Tigers will compete in the NCAA since the re-addition of the program.
 
"Being a first-year program, the biggest thing is learning and developing, we have a very tough schedule playing 24 games many against Division-I opponents with a number of them ranked in the top-20," stated Women's Water Polo Head Coach Justin Kassab.
 
Of the 10 athletes on the team, eight are freshmen. Salem brings in two other athletes junior Maryanna Antoniou and sophomore Chloe Woodbine. Both transfer to Salem from Hartwick, a Division-I program, who cut its program last season.
 
"Maryanna and Chloe are huge pickups for us because they bring college experience and elevated play with them to a freshman class," added Kassab.
 
Of the freshman, Kassab explained that overall the girls are developing and improving throughout.
 
The Tigers were picked to finish ninth in the WWPA this season, notching 13 points just two behind eighth-place Gannon at 15.
 
"Honestly, I love being the underdog and overlooked, hopefully, we will show up and surprise everyone," stated Kassab.
 
Salem gets underway this season on February 9th as they will compete in the Bucknell Invite with matches against four Division-I programs, Bucknell, Harvard, La Salle and Saint Francis (Pa.).
 
"I am excited to get the first matches underway, I look at this team as a revival program. Salem had a very strong squad in the past and it will be good to pay the respect to the alumni, showing them we can build off their foundation and create a future."