GROVE CITY, Pa. — Grove City University head women’s water polo coach Jocelyn Bernhardt previews the Wolverines’ upcoming Spring 2021 season.
Grove City aims to return to the top of the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division III ranks thanks to eight returning letterwinners.
Grove City returns four of its top offensive threats from the 2020 season in junior Sophia Melanson (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny), junior Elaine Miller (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington), sophomore Michelle Danley (Friendswood, Texas/Friendswood) and sophomore Reese Trauger (Perkasie, Pa./Pennridge).
Melanson led Grove City with 17 assists and added nine goals from her 2-meter position in 2020. A two-year starter for the Wolverines, Melanson will be a key part of the lineup at both ends of the pool again in 2021.
Miller joins Melanson as a returning two-year starter in the Grove City lineup for Bernhardt. Miller, the 2019 CWPA Division III Rookie of the Year, fired in 19 goals last season. She has 66 career goals in two seasons at Grove City.
Danley and Trauger both return after strong debuts in 2020. Danley ranked third on the team with 19 goals and 14 assists while Trauger led the team’s rookies with 23 goals. She ranked second on the squad overall in scoring. Both will be counted on for greater contributions at both ends of the pool this spring.
Sophomore Tia Kannel (York, Pa./Central York) also returns after playing extensively for Grove City in the abbreviated 2020 season. She recorded 10 assists in her freshman season and has the inside track to start.
Seniors Alliefair Scalise (Clarence, N.Y./Clarence) and Heather Russell (Frewsburg, N.Y./Frewsburg) also return after playing as reserves last season. Both are two-year letterwinners and are each in contention to earn starting roles.
Junior Kyra Johnson (Hamilton, Va.) looks to break into the starting lineup this year after playing in 20 total matches during her first two seasons. Johnson recorded five goals and six assists during the 2019 campaign.
Kannel and Miller could also see time in goal this season as Grove City looks to fill the vacancy in that position.
