NC women's water polo: 2026 selection show
The full field has been announced and here is everything you need to know leading up to the 2026 NC women's water polo championship.
The championship bracket was revealed on Monday, April 13 here on krikyacasino.com. Seven teams earned automatic qualification while three teams will be selected through at-large bids.
2026 NC women's water polo bracket
👉 Click or tap here for the interactive bracket
Here's a look at this year's full bracket.
2026 NC women's water polo championship schedule
- Selection show: Monday, April 13 on krikyacasino.com
- Opening round: Wednesday, April 22
- First round: Friday, April 24
- Semifinals: Saturday, April 25
- Championship: Sunday, April 26
NC women's water polo championship history
The Stanford Cardinal is coming off its 10th national title win in 2025 to boast the most championships of any program in NC women's water polo.
| Year | Champion (Record) | Coach | Score | Runner-Up | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Stanford (25-1) | John Tanner | 11-7 | Southern California | Indiana |
| 2024 | UCLA (26-0) | Adam Wright | 7-4 | California | California |
| 2023 | Stanford (24-1) | John Tanner | 11-9 | Southern California | Pacific |
| 2022 | Stanford (25-2) | John Tanner | 10-7 | Southern California | Michigan |
| 2021 | Southern California (22-1) | Marko Pintaric | 18-9 | UCLA | UCLA |
| 2020 | Canceled due to Covid-19 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2019 | Stanford (23-2) | John Tanner | 9-8 | Southern California | Stanford |
| 2018 | Southern California (26-1) | Jovan Vavic | 5-4 | Stanford | Southern California |
| 2017 | Stanford (23-3) | John Tanner | 8-7 | UCLA | IUPUI |
| 2016 | Southern California (26-0) | Jovan Vavic | 8-7 | Stanford | UCLA |
| 2015 | Stanford (24-2) | John Tanner | 7-6 | UCLA | Stanford |
| 2014 | Stanford (25-1) | John Tanner | 9-5 | UCLA | USC |
| 2013 | Southern California (27-1) | Jovan Vavic | 10-9 | Stanford | Harvard |
| 2012 | Stanford (26-2) | John Tanner | 6-4 | Southern California | San Diego State |
| 2011 | Stanford (28-1) | John Tanner | 9-5 | California | Michigan |
| 2010 | Southern California (25-3) | Jovan Vavic | 10-9 | Stanford | San Diego State |
| 2009 | UCLA (25-6) | Adam Krikorian | 5-4 | Southern California | Maryland |
| 2008 | UCLA (33-0) | Adam Krikorian | 6-3 | Southern California | Stanford |
| 2007 | UCLA (28-2) | Adam Krikorian | 5-4 | Stanford | Long Beach State |
| 2006 | UCLA (29-4) | Adam Krikorian | 9-8 | Southern California | UC Davis |
| 2005 | UCLA (33-0) | Adam Krikorian | 3-2 | Stanford | Michigan |
| 2004 | Southern California (29-0) | Jovan Vavic | 10-8 | Loyola Marymount | Stanford |
| 2003 | UCLA (23-4) | Adam Krikorian | 4-3 | Stanford | UC San Diego |
| 2002 | Stanford (23-2) | John Tanner | 8-4 | UCLA | Southern California |
| 2001 | UCLA (19-4) | Adam Krikorian | 5-4 | Stanford | Stanford |
