BRIDGEPORT, Pa. – The Navy water polo team (21-6, 9-3 MAWPC) closed out the 2023 season ranked in the final Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) national rankings, coming in at No. 17, as announced by the league office on Wednesday. Additionally, the Midshipmen were ranked 17th in the final Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches national poll.
The Midshipmen were ranked each week of the year, starting during the preseason poll. The Mids were ranked No. 19 six consecutive weeks during the season.
The Midshipmen entered the preseason poll ranked No. 20, but moved up as high as No. 13 following a strong outing in California that included a 10-9 upset of then-No. 9 Long Beach State. The Mids ranked No. 18 in the Week 2 poll before coming in at No. 19 for six weeks. After a week of being ranked No. 20, Navy spent two weeks ranked No. 18 before slipping to No. 19 for the final two weeks of the regular season. The Midshipmen rose to No. 17 in the final poll.
Navy finished the 2023 season 21-6 overall with a 9-3 record in the MAWPC. The 21 wins marked the first time the Mids won 20 or more games in a season since going 23-6 in 2012. The Midshipmen advanced to the MAWPC Championship game, ultimately falling to No. 15 Fordham. Navy has played in the MAWPC Championship 21 times in program history. The runner-up finish marks the 12th time that the Midshipmen have finished second in the conference tournament. It is the second time Navy has advanced to the Championship Game under head coach
Luis Nicolao.
