Slideshow Blake Parrish looks to help Stanford maintain its spot atop the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. Photo by Bill Dally/isiphotos.com. Previous Next

The Stanford men's water polo team was picked to finish fourth in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men's water polo preseason coaches' poll released Thursday.

The defending MPSF regular-season champion, Stanford was picked behind defending NCAA champion UCLA, NCAA runner-up USC, and California. Penn State Behrend was selected fifth and newcomer Austin College was picked sixth.

The Cardinal finished 19-5 and ranked fourth in the final Collegiate Water Polo Association poll last season.

Stanford defeated California, 11-10, in last year's Big Splash to secure a share of the 2017 MPSF regular-season title and the top-seed in the MPSF Tournament.

Stanford will present a different look this fall, with 10 letterwinners from last year's team graduated, including five All-Americans.