Itzahiana Baca Season 2021-22

Senior (2023): 

• Made 15 starts for the Sun Devils, including the three MPSF Tournament games
• Baca had five games with 10+ saves in her 15 starts
• Recorded 100 saves on the season, moved her into 5th in the program's record books for career goalie saves with 385 total. 
• Her season-high 12 saves came twice, first against No. 7 Michigan in the OT win, and again versus No. 21 SJSU on 4/22/23 in the Senior Day win.

Junior (2022): 

• Named to the MPSF All Academic Team as well as the Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll.
• She had a season-high 10 saves twice-- once against #17 LMU and once against #2 Stanford.
• Had 21 starts in 2022 and compiled an 11-10 record.
• Her 123 saves and 11 steals were a career single-season high.

Sophomore (2021): 

• Played in 10 games this season, and started eight of them. Had a 6-2 record on the season.
• She tallied 53 saves and a 44.9 save percentage.
• Had a season-high nine saves against No. 7 Michigan.
• Named to the MPSF All-Academic Team for the first time in her career.

Freshman (2020): 

• Played in 16 games as the Sun Devils' starting goalie, compiling 109 saves
• Had 10+ saves in five games, including a career-high 16 saves in a 9-5 win over No. 15 Princeton on Feb. 2 in the Cross-Conference Challenge
• Averaged 8.55 saves per game on the season

Previous

 

• Finished third at 2018 UANA Pan-Americans
• Part of Youth NTSC Selection Camp in 2018
• Placed first in ODP National Championship in 2018
• Placed fourth at 16U Junior OIympics in 2018, named 16U Junior Olympics First Team All-American
• Received Outstanding Defensive Award in 2015, 2016 and 2017 with Commerce Club Water Polo
• Starting varsity goalie at Schurr High School for four years and was named League MVP, Team MVP and Second Team All-CIF in 2017-18; in 2016-17, named First Team All-League and First Team All-CIF, in 2015-16, named Rookie of the Year, Third Team All-CIF, and First Team All-League; in 2015-16 and 2017-18, her team advanced to the CIF quarterfinals and in 2016-17 they won a CIF Division 2 Championship

Baca's Career Statistics
Year	QP	Saves	Goals Allowed
2020	51	119	75
2021	28	53	65
2022	80	123	212
2023	53	100	127
Total	145	385	500

Q&A with Itzahiana:
Where are you from? Los Angeles, California
What was your very first practice as a Sun Devil like? It was very exciting, competitive and a motivated and hardworking environment.
Which hobbies do you have outside of water polo? Learning how to play instruments (currently the guitar), photography, reading books, and binging movies and shows.
If you had to play another sport which would you choose? Softball or volleyball.
How do you typically spend your off days? hanging with friends, exploring new places, catching up on activities and trying to relax.
Who is your biggest hero? My mom and dad.
What is your favorite type of ice cream? I only like pistachio. 
Does pineapple belong on pizza? No ma'am!
Are you a morning or a night person? It depends on the mood and the day.
What is your major? Biological studies. 
Have you broken any bones? No. 
What do you hope to see from your team this season? Working together to achieve out athletic goals.