FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State water polo head coach Natalie Benson announced the addition of eleven new student-athletes to the program for the 2024 season. The incoming class consists of two graduate transfers in Abbey Simshauser (Wagner College) and Robyn Greenslade (Indiana). The group also includes two international talents out of New Zealand in Caitlyn Mossman and Islay Martin-Hill.
Fresno State water polo returns to the pool this season as three-time defending Golden Coast Conference champions. In addition to their 11 newcomers, the Bulldogs return the 2023 GCC Player and Newcomer of the Year in Brooke Ochoa and Hailey Andress.
"We are lucky to have such a great group of young women joining our family this season, and are already working hard to prepare for competition," coach Benson said. "We are excited to introduce our newcomers to the Red Wave!"
Abbey Simshauser
2023 graduate of Wagner College in Staten Island, NY
Two-time Offensive Player of the Year in the MAAC conference
All MAAC First Team 2022
MAAC All-Academic Team
Benson's comments on Simshauser:
"Abbey recently completed her undergraduate degree at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY. She was the two-time Offensive Player of the Year in the MAAC conference, and will add some experience and firepower to our roster"
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Robyn Greenslade
2023 graduate from Indiana University
ACWPC all-academic selection in 2020
MPSF all-academic team from 2021 to 2023
Academic All-Big 10 from 2021 to 2023
Benson's comments on Greenslade:
"Robyn joins us after graduating from Indiana University. She will help us in the center position and bring her previous playing experience to our young team."
Sidney Strickland
Valley native from Clovis and graduate of Clovis West High School
Played in high school as a center defender
Four-time TRAC Co-Champions
Last 2 years of high school, she helped the team win both the TRAC and CIF Championship titles
First and second team TRAC All-League and first Team All-Valley
Benson's comments on Strickland:
"Sidney Strickland joins us from Clovis West High School. She brings length, speed, and great intentionality to our group, and I am looking forward to watching her progress throughout the season"
Kira Anderson
Graduated from Orange Lutheran High School
She was a dual-sport athlete in high school as a water polo player and a cross country runner
She was a three-year varsity water polo player for Orange Lutheran
Benson's comments on Anderson:
"Kira Anderson joins us from Orange Lutheran High School, and brings speed, high level playing experience, and a tremendous team-first attitude to our group. She is not only a great cultural fit, but will help our team have competitive success."
Caitlyn Mossman
Attended Mount Albert Grammar School in New Zealand
Played center forward/utility
Benson's comments on Mossman:
"Caitlyn Mossman and Islay Martin-Hill came all the way from New Zealand to be part of our program. Caitlyn is a strong center with experience playing on the NZ Youth National Team. She will help our team have a physical presence in the middle which will demand defense."
Islay Martin-Hill
Attended High School Westlake Girls in Auckland, New Zealand
2019 Water Polo Goalkeeper 8th place both at NISS and at NZSS
2021 Water Polo Goalkeeper 9th place at NZSS
2022 Water Polo Goalkeeper 9th place at NZSS
Most Valuable Goalkeeper at NISS all her four years of high school
Benson's comments on Martin-Hill:
"Islay Martin-Hill and Caitlyn Mossman came all the way from New Zealand to be part of our program. Islay also has international experience, and will help hold a strong defensive line in the cage with her quick hands and explosive ability."
Ida Tully-Giles
Graduated from Villanova Preparatory school in Ojai, CA
Played in the Tri Valley league, CIF Southern Section
Three-time league champions
Four time first team all-league goalkeeper
Two-time CIF first round competitor
Helped team to one CIF quarterfinal appearance
Two-time MVP
Second team all-CIF in 2022 and first team all-county
Benson's comments on Ida:
"Ida is an athletic goalkeeper who has great passing ability and a physical presence in the cage"
HannahTully-Giles
Graduated from Villanova Preparatory school in Ojai, CA
Played in the Tri Valley league, CIF Southern Section
Played two years as attacker, and her last two years as utility and attacker
Received first team honors from 2020 to 2023
Second team all-county athlete
Received CIF honorable mention recognition
Benson's comments on Hannah:
"Hannah is a hard-working center defender who will not back down from a challenge."
Maria Bittle
Attended Santa Barbara Senior High School
Played in Channel League, CIF Southern Section
Earned first place in the junior Olympics Silver Division 2022
Earned the National Honor Society from the California Scholarship Federation
Benson's comments on Bittle:
"Maria is a center who will add to our depth in that position."
Annabelle Hernandez
Graduate from High School in Montebello, CA
2018 Junior Olympics All-American
2019 Southern Section team 2nd team
2021 first team Southern Section All-Mountain League
2022 first team Southern Section All-Mountain League
Benson's comments on Hernandez:
"Now we have Annabelle Hernandez from Schurr High School in Montebello. Annabelle has a wealth of experience playing at the high school and club level, and has a great versatility in her skill set."
Isabella Landeros
Attended Yucaipa High School
A member of the 2021-22 CBL championship team
Also won the CIF Southern Division II Championship
CBL All-League Girls Water Polo 1st Team
All CIF Southern Section Div. 2 Girls Water Polo 1st Team
Scholar-Athlete
Benson's comments on Landeros:
"Isabella is a grinder who will fight for the best outcome in every possession, and will work hard for the success of the team."