BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Goalie Heidi Ritner (Gr., Newport Beach, Calif./Corona del Mar) made 14 saves in a pair of season-opening home victories for No. 6-ranked the University of Michigan versus No. 13 Indiana University to earn recognition as the February 22 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division I Defensive Player of the Week.
The award marks the 14th Defensive Player of the Week and 19th overall weekly honor from the league office during her time with the Maize & Blue. The January 23, February 13, February 27, April 10 and May 15 Rookie of the Week during the 2017 season, she picked up Defensive Player of the Week nods in 2017 (January 23, February 27, April 10, May 15), 2018 (January 22, March 12, May 14), 2019 (February 25, March 18, April 15) and the COVID-19 abbreviated 2020 (January 20, January 27, February 24) campaigns.
Facing the Hoosiers twice during the Michigan Invitational, she opened the season on Saturday, February 20 with five saves, an assist and four steals in an 8-5 victory over Indiana. She concluded the weekend by returning to the pool on Sunday, February 21, to turn aside nine shots with an assist and a steal in an 11-6 win as the Wolverines concluded their season-opening invitational with a 4-0 mark.
February 22 Collegiate Water Polo Association Division I Defensive Player of the Week Honor Roll: Heather Jacobson (Saint Francis University)
