The Beach Is Back: 5 Reasons CSU Long Beach Water Polo Is Set For A Dominant 2025 Season
The California State University, Long Beach (CSU Long Beach) Water Polo program is charging into the 2025 season with unprecedented momentum, fueled by a historic championship title and a revitalized coaching staff. As of late 2024 and heading into the 2025 calendar year, the atmosphere surrounding "The Beach" is electric, with both the men’s and women’s programs announcing ambitious schedules and aiming for top-tier national recognition. The men's team, the reigning Big West champions, has been pegged as the preseason favorite, setting the stage for a year of high-stakes action at the LBCC Aquatics Complex and on the road.
This deep dive explores the key factors—from coaching stability and star players to a challenging schedule—that position the Long Beach State Dirtbags for a truly dominant 2025 campaign, building on the success of their recent Big West Conference triumphs.
The 2025 Coaching and Roster Blueprint: Stability and Star Power
The foundation of any successful collegiate athletic program is its leadership, and Long Beach State has secured its future with recent contract extensions for key personnel. The Men's and Women's Water Polo programs are helmed by experienced coaches who have cultivated a winning culture known for developing elite talent.
Men's Water Polo Leadership and Key Players
- Head Coach: Gavin Arroyo. Arroyo, who led the team to the 2024 Big West Championship, continues to serve as the guiding force for the men’s program. His leadership is critical as the team seeks to repeat as champions.
- Assistant Coach: Austin Ringheim.
- Key 2025 Roster Entities: The team returns a core group of proven talent. Standout performers from the 2024 championship run, including Joe Jenness and Gabi Acosta, are back. Jenness and Acosta were instrumental in the Big West final victory. Other key names for the 2025 campaign include Landon Akerstrom, William Whitstone, and international talent Sergi Ramon from Barcelona, Spain.
- Preseason Status: The Dirtbags were voted the top spot in the 2025 Big West Men's Water Polo Preseason Coaches' Poll, confirming their status as the team to beat.
Women's Water Polo Leadership and Key Players
- Head Coach: Shana Welch. Welch was promoted to Head Coach in 2020 and recently received a contract extension, solidifying her long-term commitment to the program. She brings a fresh perspective and a focus on program building.
- Assistant Coaches: Katie Card Neidermire and Robyn Gordin.
- 2025 Outlook: The women's program has announced a challenging 2025 schedule, including a home tournament and three road tournaments, designed to prepare the team for a deep run in the Big West Conference tournament.
The Stunning 2024 Big West Championship Upset
The narrative for the 2025 men’s season is inextricably linked to their dramatic 2024 Big West Men's Water Polo Championship victory. This triumph was not just a win; it was a monumental upset that redefined the program's standing in collegiate water polo.
Entering the tournament as the No. 5 seed, Long Beach State was not favored to win. They faced a daunting path through the bracket, culminating in a Championship match against the No. 2 seed, UC San Diego (Tritons).
The Dirtbags secured the title with a hard-fought 10-8 victory over UC San Diego. This win marked a significant achievement for Head Coach Gavin Arroyo and was highlighted by the standout performances of players like Joe Jenness and Gabi Acosta, who rose to the occasion under immense pressure. The victory not only crowned them Big West Champions but also secured their second consecutive conference title, setting a new expectation for the program.
3 Key Factors Driving the 2025 Water Polo Hype
The excitement for the 2025 season is palpable, driven by three major factors that signal a year of potential dominance for both the men’s and women’s programs.
1. Preseason Recognition and the Championship Target
For the men's team, the target is firmly on their back. Being voted the top team in the 2025 Big West Preseason Coaches' Poll is a testament to the respect and fear they earned with their 2024 upset. This status provides a powerful narrative: the team is no longer the underdog, but the defending champion expected to repeat. The challenge for Coach Arroyo and the players will be managing the pressure of high expectations while navigating a grueling conference schedule against rivals like UC Irvine and Cal State Fullerton.
2. A Gauntlet of a 2025 Schedule
Both Long Beach State programs have announced schedules designed to test their mettle against the best in the nation. The men's schedule features a mix of conference and non-conference battles, including a matchup against Cal State Fullerton in October and the regular-season finale against LMU. The women’s schedule, announced in detail, includes a home tournament and challenging road trips, such as the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, which pits them against top-10 ranked opponents early in the year.
3. The Synergy of Dual Program Success
The success of the Long Beach State Water Polo program is a dual effort. With Shana Welch leading the women’s team and Gavin Arroyo leading the men’s team, both of whom have recently secured contract extensions, the university has signaled a commitment to long-term stability and excellence. This stability, combined with the shared use of the LBCC Aquatics Complex for major home matches, fosters a unified and competitive environment for the entire water polo community at The Beach. [cite: 10 (from step 1)] The Women's team's 2025 schedule, which includes hosting a home tournament, will bring more high-level competition to Long Beach, further elevating the program's profile.
The 2025 season for CSU Long Beach Water Polo is shaping up to be a must-watch. With the men's team aiming to convert their preseason favorite status into another Big West title and the women's team building on a foundation of stable coaching, the Dirtbags are ready to make a significant splash on the national stage.
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