STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford was honored with five Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) All-Americans on Thursday, highlighted by Aria Fischer being named the Player of the Year.
Fischer, Ryann Neushul and Maya Avital were all named to the first team while Jewel Roemer and Jenna Flynn earned spots on the second team.
Head coach John Tanner was named the ACWPC Coach of the Year, fueling the Cardinal's NCAA title repeat and ninth NCAA championship overall. Tanner concluded his 26th season at the helm and has compiled a 622-89 overall record on The Farm, picking up his 600th career victory on Jan. 28.
Stanford was honored with at least four ACWPC All-Americans for the 19th consecutive season, with two players qualifying for the first team for the seventh straight year.
The Cardinal has produced 58 All-Americans in school history, with those individuals combining for 144 honors.
Fischer and Neushul were easy selections for the first team, as both are also finalists for the prestigious Peter J. Cutino Award, presented annually to the outstanding female and male collegiate water polo players in the United States as voted by Division I coaches.
A three-time NCAA champion having also been a member of Stanford's 2019 NCAA title team, Fischer was named the Most Valuable Player at the NCAA Tournament and MPSF Tournament. On March 26 in a win against Arizona State, Fischer became the seventh player in school history to reach the 200-goal mark and ranks fifth all-time with 226 overall. A four-time ACWPC All-American and four-time All-MPSF honoree, Fischer led the Cardinal in goals (71), assists (45), points (116) and shots (142). Fischer is one of eight players in school history to earn the honor, following sister Makenzie Fischer (2019, 2022).
Also tabbed an All-MPSF First Team honoree and named to the NCAA and MPSF All-Tournament teams in 2023, Neushul led the Cardinal with 22 multi-goal games while ranking second on the Cardinal in goals (64), assists (41), points (105) and shots (110). Neushul is a three-time ACWPC All-American and three-time All-MPSF recipient.
Avital is a two-time ACWPC All-American, making the jump to a first-team selection this season after being appointed to the second team in 2022. In 23 games as the primary goalkeeper, Avital was named an All-MPSF second-team selection, with her 189 saves ranking eighth all-time on the Cardinal's single-season list. Avital made at least 10 saves in seven contests, including a career-high 17 stops in a win against California on April 22.
A three-time ACWPC All-American, Roemer continued her progression as one of the Cardinal's most dependable and clutch players. Named to the Cutino Award Midseason Watch List, Roemer appeared in 23 games and ranked third on the team in assists (29) and fourth in goals (44), points (73), shots (82) and multi-goal games (16).
The MPSF Newcomer of the Year and one of two freshmen to also earn a spot on the all-conference team, Flynn completed one of the most impressive rookie seasons in school history. Participating in all 25 contests, Flynn ranked third on the Cardinal in goals (60), points (79), shots (105) and multi-goal game (18). Flynn is one of four freshmen in school history to score at least 60 goals in her first season, joining Brenda Villa (69 in 2001), Suze Gardner (63 in 1997) and Maggie Steffens (60 in 2013).
Stanford defeated USC 11-9 to secure its ninth NCAA title in school history and repeat for the first time since 2014-15. Appearing in its 12th NCAA final in 13 seasons, Stanford (24-1, 5-1 MPSF) avenged its only loss and closed out another stellar campaign which included a second straight MPSF crown and its best start to a season (16-0) since 2011.