Athletics

Since the Big West started sponsoring women’s water polo in 2009, UCI has dominated winning four consecutive league tournament titles.

Sweep over USC brings UCI its third NCAA title in six years.

Kevin Tillie, who came from the French Riviera to Orange County, has earned praise as one of the nation’s top players, helping lead the Anteaters to a No. 1 ranking for much of the current season and positioning them for their third national title in six years.

Over the past 40 years, UC Irvine’s tennis programs have boasted numerous national championships, conference titles and All-American performers. In their efforts to continue this tradition, coaches Mike Edles and Trevor Kronemann rely on extensive personal experience: As former UCI student-athletes themselves, they contributed much to this record of tennis excellence.

It was a good year to be an Anteater sports fan in 2011, and 2012 promises to be the same, if not better. Here are 10 stories to follow.

After years of slow but steady progress, Anteater soccer broke through to a new plateau in 2011. With stellar coaching, a burgeoning soccer culture and strong grassroots support, UCI is on its way to becoming the soccer capital of the West.

Spirit rally, concert and free food drew thousands of students to annual party sponsored by ASUCI and UC Irvine Athletics.

Anteaters reclaim world record for largest dodgeball game.

UCI is home to the largest international professional men’s volleyball tournament in the U.S. Six countries, eight teams and many Olympic-caliber stars will compete Sept. 26-Oct. 1 in the third annual Irvine International Volleyball Tournament – presented by ST/COMP Quiksilver – at Crawford Court.