Fresno State Athletics
Saturday, April 11
Fresno, CA
12 p.m. PT
Fresno State
15-9
16
vs
15
No. 3 seed San Diego State
18-10
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego State | 3 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 15 |
| Fresno State | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 16 |
Team Stats
SDSU
FS
Shots
30
37
Goals
15
16
Assists
9
9
Points
24
25
Exclusions
14
7
Steals
7
8
Sprints
0
4
1
Megan Cranley
6:34
Claudia Valdes
6:16
Marit van der Kolk
4:41
Mimi Stoupas
4:26
Georgia Daly
3:36
Hailey Andress
2:57
Noa Markovsky
2:17
Charley Stephens
1:43
Hannah Bell
1:30
Charley Stephens
1:10
Kira Anderson
0:01
2
Shannon Murphy
7:26
Sydney Gish
6:07
Aiyana Mendoza
5:32
Claudia Valdes
4:28
Ashley Williams
3:59
Noa Markovsky
3:26
Claudia Valdes
3:05
Ashley Williams
2:52
Poppy Phillips
2:30
Megan Holcomb
1:38
Marit van der Kolk
0:26
3
Mimi Stoupas
7:10
Claudia Valdes
3:49
Kira Anderson
1:23
Hailey Andress
0:35
4
Kira Anderson
7:45
Sydney Gish
7:22
Shannon Murphy
5:00
Mimi Stoupas
4:17
Noa Markovsky
2:24
Game Leaders
Shots
7
Goals
3
Assists
2
Points
5
Shots
7
Goals
3
Assists
0
Points
3
Shots
4
Goals
2
Assists
2
Points
4
Shots
4
Goals
2
Assists
1
Points
3
Players Mentioned
Attacker/Defender
/ Water PoloAttacker
/ Water Polo
Defender
/ Water Polo
Center
/ Water PoloAttacker
/ Water Polo
Goalkeeper
/ Water PoloAttacker
/ Water Polo
Defender
/ Water Polo
Center
/ Water Polo
Photo by: Aimee Sabado
'Dogs return to GCC Championship Game, defeat Aztecs in tight test
4/11/2026 4:33:00 PM | Water Polo
FRESNO, Calif. - The No. 2 seed Fresno State water polo team earned a hard-fought 16-15 win over No. 3-seeded San Diego State in the Golden Coast Conference semifinal matchup on Saturday afternoon. Fresno State advances to the GCC Championship game for the sixth-straight season, and looks to win its fifth title in that time.
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A fast start and a balanced attack proved to be the difference for the Bulldogs down the stretch.
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How it Happened
Fresno State came out firing in the opening quarter, setting the tone early. Megan Cranley opened the scoring, and the 'Dogs quickly found their rhythm offensively. Marit van der Kolk, Georgia Daly, and Hailey Andress all found the back of the cage as Fresno State surged ahead.
After San Diego State briefly kept pace, the Bulldogs exploded late in the period. Goals from Noa Markovsky, Charley Stephens, and Kira Anderson capped an eight-goal first quarter, giving Fresno State a commanding 8-3 lead after one.
San Diego State responded in the second quarter with a strong push. The Aztecs scored four straight goals to tighten the match, but Fresno State answered at key moments. Ashley Williams scored on an exclusion opportunity, Markovsky added another goal, and van der Kolk closed the half with a score to keep the Bulldogs in front 12-10 at the break.
The defensive intensity picked up in the third quarter. San Diego State cut into the lead with a pair of goals, but Fresno State maintained its edge behind scores from Kira Anderson and Andress. The Bulldogs carried a 14-12 advantage into the final period.
In the fourth, San Diego State made its final push. The Aztecs tied the game early in the quarter with three quick goals, putting pressure on Fresno State for the first time since the opening minutes.
The 'Dogs responded when it mattered most.
Anderson delivered a go-ahead goal midway through the quarter, and Fresno State regained control defensively down the stretch. After San Diego State pulled within one again, Noa Markovsky scored with 2:24 remaining to provide the final cushion.
The Aztecs attempted two more shots in the final minutes, seeing the first knocked down by Cranley and the next grabbed by Katelyn Mobley at the buzzer. Fresno State held strong in the closing minutes to secure the 16-15 win.
Up Next
Fresno State will face No. 1 seed LMU in the championship game tomorrow at 1 p.m. PT. It is a rematch of the 2025 GCC Championship game. Tickets for the championship game are available here. For more information, visit GCCWaterPolo.com.
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A fast start and a balanced attack proved to be the difference for the Bulldogs down the stretch.
Â
How it Happened
Fresno State came out firing in the opening quarter, setting the tone early. Megan Cranley opened the scoring, and the 'Dogs quickly found their rhythm offensively. Marit van der Kolk, Georgia Daly, and Hailey Andress all found the back of the cage as Fresno State surged ahead.
After San Diego State briefly kept pace, the Bulldogs exploded late in the period. Goals from Noa Markovsky, Charley Stephens, and Kira Anderson capped an eight-goal first quarter, giving Fresno State a commanding 8-3 lead after one.
San Diego State responded in the second quarter with a strong push. The Aztecs scored four straight goals to tighten the match, but Fresno State answered at key moments. Ashley Williams scored on an exclusion opportunity, Markovsky added another goal, and van der Kolk closed the half with a score to keep the Bulldogs in front 12-10 at the break.
The defensive intensity picked up in the third quarter. San Diego State cut into the lead with a pair of goals, but Fresno State maintained its edge behind scores from Kira Anderson and Andress. The Bulldogs carried a 14-12 advantage into the final period.
In the fourth, San Diego State made its final push. The Aztecs tied the game early in the quarter with three quick goals, putting pressure on Fresno State for the first time since the opening minutes.
The 'Dogs responded when it mattered most.
Anderson delivered a go-ahead goal midway through the quarter, and Fresno State regained control defensively down the stretch. After San Diego State pulled within one again, Noa Markovsky scored with 2:24 remaining to provide the final cushion.
The Aztecs attempted two more shots in the final minutes, seeing the first knocked down by Cranley and the next grabbed by Katelyn Mobley at the buzzer. Fresno State held strong in the closing minutes to secure the 16-15 win.
Up Next
Fresno State will face No. 1 seed LMU in the championship game tomorrow at 1 p.m. PT. It is a rematch of the 2025 GCC Championship game. Tickets for the championship game are available here. For more information, visit GCCWaterPolo.com.
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GCC Semifinal Postgame (HC Natalie Benson)
Saturday, April 11
WP: Hailey Andress feature
Friday, April 10
Water Polo GCC Championship Media Availability
Thursday, April 09
WP Media Availability [1/12/26]
Monday, January 12