University of California - Santa Barbara Women's Water Polo

Kay will be entering her second season at the helm for UCSB in the 2016 season. In her first year, she coached the Gauchos to a 14-16 overall record with a 2-3 mark in Big West play. They ended their season with a dramatic 10-9 overtime win over Long Beach State to finish in fifth place at the Big West Tournament. Under her tutelage, three Gauchos earned All-Big West status with Samantha Murphy being voted to the second team, while Bryn Hudson and Camila Schafer were named honorable mentions. In addition to her conference accolade, Murphy was also named Honorable Mention All-America for the second time of her career by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo.   Kay was hired as UCSB's women's water polo head coach on Jun. 30, 2014. She took over the Gauchos' program after serving the previous two years as the Associate Head Coach at the University of Hawai'i. During Kay's time at UH, the Rainbow Wahine experienced their most successful seasons ever. In 2013, they won the Big West regular season and tournament championships, won 22 matches and advanced to their first NCAA Tournament. Ultimately they were knocked out in the semifinals by eventual national champion USC. In 2014, Hawai'i was 19-10 overall and finished third in the league. "The Big West is arguably the most competitive conference in the sport with every team holding a national rank," Kay said. "I am excited to continue competition within the conference at UCSB." Prior to her two-year run at UH, Kay spent two years as the Associate Head Coach at the University of Maryland and during that time, the program captured the 2011 Eastern College Athletic Conference 2011 crown and back-to-back Collegiate Water Polo Association division championships. Kay previously enjoyed two stints as an assistant coach on both the Princeton University men's and women's staffs (2002-04, 2009-10). Her stay there was highlighted by a 2009 Mens CWPA Eastern Championship and third-place finish at the NCAA Championship.   The native of Annapolis, Md., has also coached on the West Coast with a four-year run as a women's assistant at California (2005-09). Prior to working at Cal, Kay was the director and senior head coach of the Santa Barbara Water Polo Foundation from 2004-05.   Kay's coaching resume also includes experience with the U.S. national program. She served as an assistant coach with the USA Water Polo Youth National Team for six seasons, leading the team to numerous international championships. She was also on the staff of the U.S. Women's Senior National Team that won a gold medal at the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome.   As a player, Kay was a four-year starter at UCLA, during which time the Bruins captured three national titles in 1997, 1998 and 2000. She was also a member of the USA Junior National Team from 1995-97, helping Team USA to a gold medal at the 1996 Junior Pan American Games in Havana, Cuba.   Kay graduated from UCLA in 2000 with a degree in psychology, with a specialization in business and administration. She received a master's in sports science with a specialization in sport management from the United States Sports Academy in 2004, a master's in education from Cal in 2008, and an MBA from the University of Maryland, University College in 2012.

McMillen has a rich history with the sport.  Ryans love of the game led him to coaching in the Bay Area after college. He was the Menlo High School Water Polo JV coach 1997-1999 (undefeated), the Menlo High School Assistant Varsity Coach 1997-1999 (2nd CCS 1998), and the San Jose State Asst. Womens Water Polo Coach 1997, 1998. He returned to Santa Barbara in 1999 and began volunteer coaching with the Dos Pueblos High School Boys Water Polo team from 1999-2013. Began coaching with UCSB in 2013 as the Assistant Women's Coach along side Wolf and transitioned into a dual role on both the Men's side and Women's side for three years.  Currently focusing on the Men's program and development of age group water polo players in the local area through his club. Ryan was the Santa Barbara Water Polo Club Assistant coach for 16 & 18 under boys 2012-2014, Director in 2015 and the Santa Barbara Water Polo Club Assistant Goalie coach (boys and girls - all age groups 14,16,18 & under).  2016 Ryan Co-Found a NEW water polo club, "Santa Barbara Premier Water Polo Club" where he is the Executive Director and Assistant coach of all 13 teams, 24 employees,  260 athletes and families.   His numerous awards and honors include: High School All-American Goalie 1990, Junior Olympic Silver Medalist 16 & under 1989; All PAL Team 1989 & 1990, PAL MVP 1989, 1990; CCS MVP 1990; Don Dryfus Award 1990; Captain Fresno State Water Polo 1993; Captain UCSB Water Polo 1995; National B Team 1991, Olympic Festival Silver Medalist (east) 1991; 2nd Team All Big West 1991; San Mateo High School Hall of Fame inducted in 2003; 3-time Masters Nationals Champion; 9-time Masters Nationals runner-up; Winterfest Runner-up 2012; Fisher Cup Champion 2013 NYAC; USA Water Polo Masters All-American 17 years as a field player (20s, 30s, 40s). When not on the pool deck Ryan enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Shanti, traveling, going to the beach, surfing or just relaxing.

Peltcher arriveed to campus after spending the previous year as an assistant for Santa Barbara City College's women's water polo and swimming teams. She was a part of the Vaqueros' inaugural coaching staff, as she helped guide the team to a Western State Conference championship. The team cruised through conference play with an 8-1 record and reached the quarterfinals of the So Cal Regional, and finished the season ranked fifth in Southern California. Under her tutelage, four players were named All-Conference, including league MVP Rocio Fesembeck. With SBCC playing its season in the fall, she was also a part of the Vaqueros' hot 5-1 start to the 2015 season.  Her coaching experience goes beyond the Santa Barbara area, as she worked multiple high-level camps, including the Malibu Water Polo Camp where she coached with four-time Olympian Terry Schroeder and USA goalkeeper Merrill Moses. At the Azevedo Shooting School, she worked with the US Men's National Water Polo team captain Tony Azevedo and his father Ricardo Azevedo, a former Brazilian national player who is now the head coach of China's men's national team.  While she was a student-athlete at Cal State Bakersfield, Peltcher got her first coaching experience as a camp counselor at the Nike Water Polo Camp where she worked with longtime Team USA goalkeeper Genai Kerr. Peltcher graduated with a degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise science and a minor in psychology from Cal State Bakersfield in 2013. As a student-athlete, she was a team captain on the Roadrunners' water polo team and also competed as a swimmer.