MIAA Water Polo Championships set for this week at McDonogh

The seeds are set, the bracket is out and the stage is ready for the 2024 MIAA Water Polo Championships, which will take place this week at the McDonogh School Aquatic Center in the Rollins-Luetkemeyer Athletic Center. The action commences with a semifinal double-header at McDonogh on Thursday with the winners returning to Owings Mills on Saturday for the championship match.

Calvert Hall enters the post-season as the top seed and will play fourth-seeded Mount St. Joseph in Thursday's first semifinal at 3:30 p.m. The Cardinals won their first eight games of the season, before suffering a 15-13 loss to two-time defending champion Gilman. Calvert Hall then won its final contest against Archbishop Spalding to finish 9-1 and clinch the top seed.

The first meeting between the Cardinals and Gaels was a nail-bitter with Calvert Hall prevailing by a single goal, 12-11. In the rematch, the Cards had a little easier time in a 13-8 victory. St. Joe finished 4-6 in league play with all six of their losses against the other three playoff teams.

Gilman and Loyola will match-up in Thursday's second semifinal at 5:30 p.m.

Gilman finished 8-2 to get the second seed, splitting its meetings with both Calvert Hall and Loyola. The Dons were 7-3 with all four of its matches with Calvert Hall and Gilman coming down to three goals or less. Gilman has won four of the last five league titles and five overall. Loyola won the 2021 crown and five overall. Calvert Hall has won a league high 11 titles, but hasn't captured a championship since 2015.

Saturday's championship game is slated for 5:00 pm. It will follow the JV championship game at 3:00 p.m. Tickets for Saturday's final are $10 in advance and can be purchased via GoFan. Admission at the door is $15 while children under 8 are free.