Sun Devil Water Polo Heads to San Diego for Stacked Triton Invitational After Perfect Start
TEMPE - After a dominant opening weekend in Tempe, No. 6 Arizona State Water Polo is headed west with momentum on its side and a serious test ahead. The Sun Devils will travel to San Diego for the Triton Invitational, hosted by UC San Diego from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 - and the field is absolutely loaded.
Coming off a 5-0 sweep at the Malmsten Invitational, ASU didn’t just win - they made a statement. The Sun Devils took down three ranked opponents, including a thrilling 17-15 win over No.
7 LMU, a 15-12 victory over No. 13 UC San Diego, and a commanding 16-7 performance against No.
17 Michigan. That’s a resume-builder kind of weekend - and it’s only January.
Millie Quin’s Star Turn
At the heart of ASU’s early-season surge is senior attacker Millie Quin, who earned MPSF Player of the Week honors after an explosive five-game stretch. Quin put up video game numbers: 25 goals, 10 assists, nine steals, and three blocks. That’s not just filling the stat sheet - that’s taking over games.
Quin’s ability to score from anywhere in the pool, combined with her defensive instincts and leadership, gives ASU a true two-way star. If she keeps this pace up, the Sun Devils are going to be a problem for anyone they face this season.
Triton Invitational: A Who’s Who of Collegiate Water Polo
The Triton Invitational isn’t just another tournament - it’s a proving ground. Thirteen of the nation’s top-25 teams are making the trip to San Diego, including powerhouses like No.
2 USC, No. 3 UCLA, and No.
5 Hawaii. ASU enters the tournament ranked No. 6, but they’ll have to earn every inch against this stacked field.
Here’s a look at the ranked programs in the mix:
- No.
2 USC
- No.
3 UCLA
- No.
5 Hawaii
- No.
6 Arizona State
- No.
7 Long Beach State
- No.
9 LMU
- No.
11 UC Irvine
- No.
12 UC San Diego
- No.
14 UC Davis
- No.
18 Michigan
- T19 UC Santa Barbara
- T19 San Diego State
- No.
25 Pomona
In total, 15 teams will be competing, including Claremont, Concordia, and Fullerton. It’s the kind of tournament that can shake up the rankings and give teams a real sense of where they stand early in the season.
Bracket Breakdown: ASU Draws Michigan in Opener
ASU will compete in Bracket B, alongside UC San Diego, UC Davis, and Michigan. The Sun Devils open the tournament on Friday, Jan. 30 at 3:40 p.m.
MST against Michigan - a rematch from last weekend, where ASU cruised to a 16-7 win. But with tournament play, nothing is guaranteed, and Michigan will be looking for payback.
Here’s how the brackets shape up:
Bracket A: USC, UC San Diego, UC Davis, Claremont
Bracket B: UCLA, Arizona State, UC Irvine, Michigan
Bracket C: Hawaii, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, Concordia
Bracket D: Long Beach State, LMU, SDSU, Pomona
Full Schedule Highlights (All Times MST)
Friday, Jan. 30 - Triton Pool
- 9:00 a.m. - USC vs. Claremont
- 10:20 a.m. - UCLA vs. Fullerton
- 11:40 a.m. - Hawaii vs. Concordia
- 1:00 p.m. - Long Beach State vs. Pomona
- 2:20 p.m. - LMU vs. SDSU
- 3:40 p.m. - ASU vs. Michigan
- 5:00 p.m. - UC Irvine vs. UC Santa Barbara
- 6:20 p.m. - UC San Diego vs. UC Davis
Saturday, Jan. 31 - Triton & Canyonview Pools
Games continue with winners and losers moving through the bracket. Semifinals are scheduled for Saturday evening, with placement games from 13th to 1st happening throughout Sunday.
Sunday, Feb. 1 - Triton Pool
- 10:00 a.m. - 15th Place Game
- 11:20 a.m. - 13th Place Game
- 12:40 p.m. - 11th Place Game
- 2:00 p.m. - 9th Place Game
What’s at Stake
This weekend is more than just another tournament - it’s a chance for ASU to measure itself against the best in the country. With so many top-10 teams in the field, every game is going to feel like postseason play. And for a Sun Devil squad that’s already shown flashes of elite potential, this is an opportunity to solidify their place among the national contenders.
If Millie Quin continues her tear, and the Sun Devils can maintain the balance and depth they showed at the Malmsten Invitational, don’t be surprised if they’re playing deep into the bracket come Sunday.
The Triton Invitational is set to deliver high-level water polo from start to finish - and Arizona State is right in the thick of it.