July 19, 2012

TEMPE - The Arizona State University water polo program has named Julia Fancher as assistant coach, as announced by head coach Todd Clapper on Thursday.

Fancher was a four-year competitor at UC Irvine as a utility player.  In 2009, she was an All-Big West first-team selection after scoring 49 goals - the 10th-best single season tally in school history.  She finished her career at Irvine with 143 goals, good for fifth in Anteater history. 

"I am excited that Julia has joined the staff here at ASU," Clapper said. "She brings a lot of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm to the position.  She is a great addition and will be contributing in every facet of the program." 

After her graduation, Fancher went on to a short professional career in Australia and Greece, competing for the Victorian Tigers out of Melbourne in the Australian National League before spending almost a year with G.C. Iraklis in the Greek A1 Division. 

Fancher had been a water polo coach at Bonita High School - her alma mater - in  La Verne, Calif., from September 2011 to February of this year.  She had also served as an intern at UC Irvine in the sports marketing department during her senior year at the university. 

Fancher joins a program that is coming off its best finish in school history.  The Sun Devils finished the season with a 25-6 overall record, it's best ever in school history while also netting a school record in goals scored with 376.  The team's fifth-place finish at the conference tournament also matched its best finish in school history. 

Clapper's seventh season at the helm was also a milestone year as he earned his 100th-career victory as head coach of the Sun Devils while taking his 200th career victory overall.