Edison water polo center Melissa Balding has committed to Harvard, joining a stellar class of county players heading to the Ivy League school.

Balding joins 2013 seniors Lexi Del Toro of Laguna Beach, Dan Stevens of Newport Harbor and Joey Colton of El Toro as a Harvard commit.

Stevens and Colton were first-team All-County in the fall while Balding and Del Toro are very strong players as well.

Last season, Balding scored 34 goals, drew 52 ejections and added 30 assists. Over the summer, she earned first-team All-America honors at the Junior Olympics for runner-up Huntington Beach.

The senior said she is excited to play for Harvard but also thanked her coaches.

Here’s what Balding wrote in an e-mail:

“I have been given the opportunity to play under great coaches up until this point. Natalie and Eric Benson (of Huntington Beach Water Polo Club) have majorly contributed to my success. They have played a huge role in my development as a player and person as a whole.

“Playing high school for Diggy Riley has also been and currently is a great experience. He has provided fantastic guidance and mentorship to me and the whole Edison team. And of course, I am looking forward to play for Ted Minnis and Jessi Wood for the next four years. ”

Please send water polo news to Dan Albano at dalbano@ocregister.com

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