The Big West officially welcomed women’s water polo as the 18th conference-sponsored sport this month. Cal State Northridge, UC Santa Barbara, Long Beach State, UC Davis, UC Irvine and Pacific will all play in the Big West.

Conference play begins in March, consisting of five games with sites alternating annually. All six teams will participate in the conference’s women’s water polo tournament at Pacific in April.

In the latest Collegiate Water Polo Association Top 25 poll, UC Davis, Cal State Northridge, UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine and Long Beach State made appearances. UC Davis had played in the Western Water Polo Association before moving to the Big West, while Pacific, UC Irvine, Long Beach State, Cal State Northridge and UC Santa Barbara played in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

Water polo is the 10th women’s sport sponsored by the Big West. The conference also sponsors eight men’s sports. The conference is not eligible for an automatic bid to the championship.