SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior water polo player Kendall Houck has committed to play at San Diego State and attend the school in the fall. Houck will leave the St. Francis program as the program leader in several offensive categories after her four-year varsity career.
"I am so excited to be able to continue to play the sport I love in college," said Houck. "It has been a goal of mine to play in college for years so I am thrilled to be playing."
Houck joins the Aztec program whose former players include current head coach Emily Whalen and former coach Heather moody.
"I loved being an Aztec," said Whalen. "After Kendall got home from her recruit trip I couldn't wait to talk to her and my former college coach. I know it will be a great fit for her and she will be very helpful to their program. I can't wait to beat her in the alumni game in January!"
Houck joins a San Diego State program coached by Carin Crawford. Last season, Crawford coached the Aztecs to their fourth straight Golden Coast Conference regular-season title and she has guided the Scarlet and Black to a top-17 national finish in each of her 19 years.
"I was impressed with the facilities and all the perks the girls get," said Houck, who is planning on majoring in business marketing. "The coaches are really nice and supportive of all the girls which I love."
Houck entered her senior season with 129 career goals, 84 assists and 184 career steals and has added a career-best 67 goals this season. She finished last season with a 2018-19 National Interscholastic Swimming Association (NISCA) Girls Water Polo All-America Fourth-Team selection.
"It meant so much to be recognized with All-America Honors," said Houck. "Not many girls receive this recognition so I felt honored to be an All-American."
With the Section Championship game and a berth in the CIF Northern California regional still ahead, her final St. Francis legacy and storyline is not finished. But she has chapter setup at SDSU.
"The school is absolutely amazing and beautiful," said Houck of SDSU. "I loved the atmosphere and all the people. I am excited to live in San Diego and experience a new place and be close to the beach."
Houck will participate in the St. Francis Signing Day celebration on Wednesday.
