CLAREMONT, Calif. – The Macalester College water polo team competed in the semifinals of the USA Water Polo Division III National Championship, losing to Pomona-Pitzer, 23-2 Saturday afternoon at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. The Scots, who are the CWPA champions, drop to 15-6 on the season, while the Sagehens improve to 20-16.

Macalester will play in the third-place game against CWPA runner-up Carthage College, while Pomona-Pitzer will face Claremont-Mudd-Scripps for the Division III national title on Sunday, April 26.

The Sagehens tallied four goals in the first quarter, eight goals in the second and the first goal of the third to lead 13-0. The Scots notched their first goal at nationals in the third quarter, as sophomore Anna Gaisser (Seattle, Wash./Ingraham) found the net off an assist from senior Alana Nadolski (Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood). After Pomona-Pitzer answered, senior Jess Palmer-Sammons (Half Moon Bay, Calif./Half Moon Bay) scored a goal that was assisted by senior Kendall Strauss (Round Rock, Texas/Round Rock). But the Saghens were too difficult to stop, as Pomona-Pitzer tallied the final eight goals of the game to close out the win.

Senior goalkeeper Jayden Kratt (Palo Alto, Calif./Henry M. Gunn) played the first half and registered four saves, while sophomore Myles Kratz (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North) finished up and made one save.

Macalester concludes the 2026 season with the third-place game at the USA Water Polo Division III National Championship against Carthage College on Sunday, April 26 at 12:30 p.m. Central.

MAC – 0 0 2 0 - 2
PP – 8 4 5 6 - 23
Macalester goals: Gaisser, Palmer-Sammons

Tournament Website | Live Video ($) | Live Stats | Tickets

2026 USA Water Polo Division III Championship - Axelrood Pool, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, Claremont, Calif.
(Times are Central Daylight Time)
Saturday, April 25
Semifinal 1 - Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 24, Carthage 5
Semifinal 2 - Pomona-Pitzer 23, Macalester 2

Saturday, April 26
Macalester vs. Carthage - 12:30 p.m.
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps vs. Pomona-Pitzer - 2:30 p.m.