- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
UCLA Defeats Indiana 20-10 in High-Scoring Battle
No. 12 Indiana women's water polo finishes MPSF Championships with 1-2 record
Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:40am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A cubist interpretation of the high-scoring battle between UCLA and Indiana in the 2026 MPSF Championships, capturing the dynamic energy and strategic complexity of collegiate water polo.Berkeley TodayNo. 12 Indiana women's water polo team faced a challenging opening-round loss to No. 3 UCLA at the Spieker Aquatic Center in Berkeley, California, before bouncing back with a resilient victory over San Jose State to conclude their tournament run at the 2026 MPSF Championships.
Why it matters
The match against UCLA highlighted the importance of defensive cohesion and the ability to maintain momentum in collegiate water polo, as the Hoosiers struggled to contain the Bruins' high-scoring offense despite strong individual performances. The team's response in the San Jose State game showcased their mental fortitude and the need for professional support systems to optimize recovery and readiness.
The details
The contest against UCLA began as a tactical battle, with Indiana senior Louisa Downes and senior Grace Klingler keeping the Hoosiers within striking distance in the first quarter. However, UCLA's depth and offensive efficiency proved insurmountable, as the Bruins pulled away in the second half, leading to a final score of 20-10. While Downes and Klingler both completed hat tricks, the defensive line could not contain UCLA's offensive onslaught, led by Bia Mantellato, Taylor Smith, Elektra Urbatsch, and Jojo Walters.
- The contest began on April 13, 2026.
- A one-hour weather delay occurred during the second half of the match.
The players
Louisa Downes
A senior on the Indiana women's water polo team who scored two early goals and completed a hat trick in the match against UCLA.
Grace Klingler
A senior on the Indiana women's water polo team who capitalized on a 6-on-4 opportunity and also completed a hat trick in the match against UCLA.
Bia Mantellato
A player for UCLA who led the charge with four goals against Indiana.
Taylor Smith
A player for UCLA who scored three goals against Indiana.
Elektra Urbatsch
A player for UCLA who scored three goals against Indiana.
What’s next
The experience gained at the Spieker Aquatic Center will serve as the blueprint for the 2027 campaign, as the Hoosiers look to integrate data-driven recovery and elite medical support to optimize their performance and close the gap with the top-ranked teams.
The takeaway
This match highlights the importance of defensive cohesion, mental fortitude, and access to professional support systems in collegiate water polo. While Indiana's individual stars shone, the team's inability to contain UCLA's high-scoring offense and the need for effective recovery strategies were exposed, providing a clear roadmap for improvement in the off-season.
