Men’s Water Polo | November 26, 2024
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LOS ANGELES — After clinching their third straight MPSF Tournament title, the USC men’s water polo team is now gearing up for an impressive 20th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. This feat is a testament to their unwavering dominance in the sport. The team is honored to have three standout players recognized on the 2024 MPSF All-Tournament Team, led by the star of the show, MVP Carson Kranz. In a remarkable achievement, he becomes only the ninth Trojan to earn the prestigious title of MPSF Tournament MVP, showcasing his critical contributions to the team’s success.
Joining Kranz is his esteemed teammate Max Miller, who also made the All-Tournament Team alongside goalie Bernardo Herzer. For both captains—Kranz and Miller—this marks their second selection to the MPSF All-Tournament team, reinforcing their positions as key leaders of the squad. Miller, who was named last year’s MVP, gracefully passed the baton to Kranz this season, highlighting the team’s camaraderie and commitment to excellence. Throughout the MPSF Tournament, Kranz showcased his scoring prowess, netting a total of eight goals, including a stunning career-high five goals in a pivotal semifinal match against No. 2 Stanford. Demonstrating his prowess under pressure, Kranz scored three of those goals during a nail-biting overtime period, propelling the Trojans to the championship match.
In the title bout, Kranz continued to shine, adding another goal to his impressive tally, while Miller delivered an impressive three-goal performance in USC’s exhilarating 15-13 victory over the tournament host, No. 1 UCLA. Throughout the event, Miller also showcased his skill by drawing five exclusions, a critical advantage for the Trojans. On the defensive end, goalie Bernardo Herzer was indispensable for the Trojan defense. He put together a phenomenal performance, achieving a staggering 15 saves in the semifinal win over the Cardinal and contributing an additional nine saves in the final against the Bruins. This marks a significant milestone for Herzer as he earns his first MPSF All-Tournament honor.
With their eyes set on the horizon, Kranz, Miller, and Herzer are now focused on leading their Trojan teammates into USC’s 20th consecutive NCAA appearance. The Trojans have been assigned the esteemed No. 2 seed for this year’s National Collegiate Men’s Water Polo Championship, to be held from December 6-8 at Stanford’s Avery Aquatic Center. USC will begin their championship journey with a crucial matchup against California Baptist on December 6 at 4 p.m., as they vie for a coveted spot in the semifinals scheduled for December 7 at 3 p.m. The NCAA Championship game is set for December 8 at 3 p.m., where USC will be eager to capture its 11th national title in the storied history of the program, aiming for their first championship win since 2018.
