TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State University Water Polo will add three promising newcomers to the squad next season, as head coach Todd Clapper announced the 2016-17 signing class Wednesday afternoon.
The signing class consists of four prominent prep stars from all accross the country including Meghan Beaudet (Duke City Aquatics Club, Albuquerque, NM), utility player Kate Cassidy (St. Andrews, Boca Raton, Fla.) and Amira Van Buren (Vista Murrieta High School, Murrieta, Calif.).
Meghan Beaudet, a dominant center from the Duke City Aquatics club team, has national team experience after being selected to the 2016 Olympic Development Program Girl's Youth National Team. The Albuquerque, NM. native has swam for the Duke City Aquatics club for nines years, but began playing water polo in 2009. Beaudet claimed her first club MVP award in 2011 and subsequently repeated as MVP for four consecutive seasons.
With her high school team, Beaudet helped lead her team to four top-two finishes, including three first-place finishes. During her first season in high school play, Beaudet earned 2nd team all-state honors as a goalie, before earnining 1st team all-state recognition as a center three startaight seasons. Beaudet, a National Honor Society member, also earned USA Water Polo Academic All-American honors in 2015 and 2016.
Kate Cassidy has earned Palm Beach Player of the Year honors in all three of her high school seasons. Last season Cassidy helped lead the Scots to the state quarterfinals, where they fell to Lake Nona. She finished the season with an eye popping 93 goals, five assists, 133 attempts and 50 steals.Congrats to Meghan Beaudet on joining the Sun Devil family! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/aviDNCmiZ6
— ASU Water Polo (@ASUWaterPolo) November 9, 2016
Following the regular season Cassidy attended the US Junior National Team Selection camp. This season, Cassidy will serve as the senior team captian for both her swim and water polo teams.
Amira Van Buren is a standout in the pool for Vista Murrieta High School in Murrieta, Calif. Van Buren has been a member of her high school's varsity water polo and swim teams since 2013 and has helped her water polo squad reach the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.Committed to Arizona State University class of 2021?????? pic.twitter.com/Xtf1RDF0js
— kate cassidy (@katecassidyy) September 29, 2016
Van Buren claimed 3rd Team All CIF recognition in 2014, before earning First Team honors following her junior season in 2015. Van Buren has also earned First Team All-Southwest honors in back-to-back seasons, coupled with All-Area First Team honors in 2015.
Sun Devil fans, help us welcome Amira Van Buren to the ASU family! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/rY3Ww4tSyA
— ASU Water Polo (@ASUWaterPolo) November 10, 2016
Layla Waters signed with ASU fresh off a junior campaign that saw her net 54 goals while adding 31 assists and 33 steals. Her totals were enough to earn her First Team honors with West Catholic Athletic League and Central Coast Section. This season,
Waters has already surpassed her goal scoring output from a year ago, connecting on for 56 goals while racking up 42 assists and 28 steals.
We are incredibly excited to welcome Layla Waters to the Sun Devil family! #ForksUp pic.twitter.com/Hr0Fnd2EIU
— ASU Water Polo (@ASUWaterPolo) November 14, 2016