The second season for women's water polo at Monmouth College will feature their first home tournament in the history of the program.

      Seven teams will converge on Monmouth's Pepper Natatorium the weekend of March 20 for the CWPA West Region Round Robin. The tournament will be Monmouth fans' first chance to see this year's squad in action.

      "It's exciting to get to bring those teams here and showcase our facility," said coach Josh Dunn. "It's also great that the campus can get a firsthand look at water polo."

      Dunn has two returners from his inaugural squad and 10 newcomers. The Scots experienced growing pains last season, but earned both their victories in the final third of the season. With so many new faces, Dunn says it will be a challenge, but he's counting on his three veterans to help with the learning curve.

      "We're not going back to 'Ground Zero,' but we are awfully young," admitted Dunn. "We're figuring out where everyone fits in. We've got some good recruits that will allow us to make some moves to bolster the offense and the defense."

      Juniors Morgan Bruess (International Falls, Minn./Falls) and Kylee Winiecki (Des Plaines, Ill./Maine West) provide the nucleus for 2015.

      Bruess spent most of her time in goal last season, but the addition of freshman goalkeepers Natalie Curtis (Arlington Heights, Ill./Hersey) and Brenna Bowers (New Lenox, Ill./Lincoln-Way West) gives Dunn the option to move Bruess into the field where she'll be an offensive threat.

      "Morgan is a long player," said Dunn. "She's got some size and can turn people. When Morgan got the chance in the field last year she surprised some people."

      Winiecki brings a year of experience to the pool after "growing each game" last season. The "explosive" swimmer gives Dunn added defensive prowess.

      "Kylee is aggressive," said Dunn. "She's got some attributes that will help the freshmen learn the college game."

      Curtis and Bowers are set to cover goalkeeping duties. Curtis is touted by Dunn as a "phenomenal" keeper with a strong arm.

      "Natalie and Brenna were a couple of our top recruits," reported Dunn. "We're glad to get them. Natalie has a lot of experience. We also have some well-rounded freshmen in the mix."

      Rachel Unger (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) and Melissa Barrios (Oak Forest, Ill./Tinley Park) are two Dunn is expecting great things from.

      "We're in the stages of seeing where they'll fit in," said Dunn. "Abi Murray (Brentwood, Calif./Heritage) has a ton of experience and has a high ceiling of potential. We feel like we have some pretty good pieces of the puzzle."

      Kaila Heitter (Byron, Ill./Byron), Corine Allen (Galesburg, Ill./Galesburg) and Michelle Nafziger (Prophetstown, Ill./Prophetstown) also figure to be key components.

      "Kaila has a true knack for the game," said Dunn. "She's naturally talented. I'm excited to see Corine and Michelle play. They'll bring a great deal of speed."

      Two more rookies – Becca Dowell (Moline, Ill./Moline) and Shilo Whetstone (Crawfordsville, Ind./Southmont) – are giving water polo a try for the first time.

      "It's exciting to see true newcomers to the game," said Dunn. "They've improved every practice. I'm anxious to see their development at the end of the season."

      Dunn – and local fans – will get a good look at the team in the first weekend of the season. Monmouth opens the year at home this weekend in games that will be webcast on Monmouthscots.com before traveling east for a pair of tournaments in Connecticut and Pennsylvania.