Jan. 24, 2016
Santa Barbara, Calif.----- As good as the San Jose State University women's water polo team performed on its first day of the UC Santa Barbara Winter Invite, the Spartans were unable to carry forward their momentum on the tournament's final day. #8-ranked San Jose State (5-3) lost to #7-Hawaii, 7-5, and to #12-Michigan, 18-9.
The two losses offset wins against #5-UC Irvine and #17-Long Beach State on January 23.
With its shooting percentage under 20 percent (5-of-27) and going just 2-of-8 on the power play, San Jose State relied on its defense to keep them even with Hawaii, 3-3, at halftime. Nikki-Marie Bell and Carla Abellan of Hawaii broke the tie with goals 38 seconds apart in the third quarter for a 5-3 lead. San Jose State was able to cut Hawaii's lead to one twice after that on second-half goals by Rae Lekness, but never scored an equalizer.
In the nightcap, Michigan raced out to a 7-0 lead in the first nine minutes of the match and were never threatened the rest of the way.
Lekness ended up the Spartans' top scorer in each match with three against Hawaii and two in the Michigan contest. Co-captain Cara Robinson was the only other San Jose State player to score in each contest with one against Hawaii and one against Michigan.
San Jose State returns to action, Saturday, February 6, for four matches in the Stanford Invitational. The Spartans have rematches with #1-ranked Stanford and #12-Michigan, face Loyola Marymount for the first time and play a fourth opponent.
UC Santa Barbara Winter Invite Santa Barbara, Calif. January 24, 2016
Match 22
| Match 22 - Score by Quarters | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #8-San Jose State (5-2) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| #7-Hawaii (4-1) | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
Goal Scoring
San Jose State -- Rae Lekness, 3; Carla Toha Vilanova, Cara Robinson, 1, each.
Hawaii -- Julia Barton, Femke Ane, Carla Abellan, 2, each; Nikki-Marie Bell, 1.
Goalkeeper Saves
San Jose State -- Tayler Peters, 8.
Hawaii -- Ymane Hage, 12.
Ejections
San Jose State -- 5.
Hawaii -- 8.
Match 25
| Match 25 - Score by Quarters | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #12-Michigan (3-1) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 18 |
| #8-San Jose State (5-3) | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 9 |
Goal Scoring
Michigan - Ali Thomason, 7; Kelly Martin, 4; Allison Skaggs, Kim Johnson, 2, each; Caroline Anderson, Danielle Johnson, Christina O'Beck, 1, each.
San Jose State -- Rae Lekness, 2; McKenna Yates, Cara Robinson, Kelli Leabo, Giuliana Tragitt, Donia Momen, Sierra Painter, Molly Kaster, 1.
Goalkeeper Saves
Michigan -- Emily Browning, not available.
San Jose State -- Tayler Peters, not available.
Ejections
Michigan -- 8.
San Jose State -- 8.