The Michigan water polo team’s drubbing of Grove City on March 17 wasn’t all that unique, save for a lopsided 13-0 final score.

At least, nobody realized it was. As it turned out, the victory marked No. 300 of Michigan coach Matt Anderson’s career in Ann Arbor — he now accounts for more than 88 percent of the wins in the program’s 13-year history.

Anderson and his team, though, weren’t making a big deal about the accomplishment.

“I had no idea (about the milestone) until I read it,” Anderson said. “I’m not even sure if my wife knows.”

He had already joined an elite class of Michigan coaches, as he is one of only five to lead a women’s program to 200 wins during his career.

“Honestly, it’s a great accomplishment,” Anderson said. “Mainly because it shows that the program has been very consistent.”

In this case, consistency has translated to Michigan becoming the winningest program in women’s college water polo since 2001, the year that the NCAA began sponsoring a championship.

Anderson sits third on the national list of all-time coaching wins in the sport and has led the team to the College Water Polo Association Eastern Championship four times — in 2005 and a three-year stretch from 2008-10.

The team has found success outside the swimming pool as well. Four of Anderson’s players have made the All-Academic team in both the CWPA and Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Polls in all four of their years at Michigan. In the program’s history, 113 All-Academic honors have been awarded to Wolverine players on behalf of the CWPA and ACWPC.

Anderson deflected credit for the program’s success to the multitude of high-caliber players to come through Ann Arbor in years past. True to form, the Michigan coach vastly understated the success his players have experienced since he took over the program before the 2003 season.

Former Wolverine goalkeeper Betsey Armstrong has won seven medals with the U.S. national team, including a gold at the 2012 London Summer Olympics and silver at the 2008 Beijing Games.

She isn’t done contributing to the Wolverine program, either. She currently works as an assistant coach for Michigan, and her presence seems to be paying off — in Saturday’s rivalry clash against Indiana, senior goalie Alex Adamson set her career high in saves with 17, including three in overtime to preserve a narrow Michigan lead.

“It says a lot that (she) came back after playing for Matt,” said junior driver Sophie Hoegh.

In addition, the Wolverines have seen 24 AWPCA All-Americans dominate the center pool at Canham Natatorium, including senior attacker Kiki Golden, who took home an honorable mention in 2011.

Senior attacker Natalie Naruns pointed to the Eastern Division Championship as the Wolverines’ constant preseason objective. Michigan hasn’t achieved this goal every year, but when it misses it’s usually by the narrowest of margins. The Wolverines have reached the Eastern Championship title game every year except for two while under Anderson, coming away with five trophies.

The 2013 campaign has had its share of struggles — Michigan’s record, which currently stands at 14-10, is on pace to set a program-worst winning percentage. The current low came in 2007, when the Wolverines went 24-16 and failed to reach the Eastern Division final.

But Anderson seems to have orchestrated a total about-face from his team, which is currently riding a 10-game winning streak after starting the season 1-7.

“There’s a perception that you have to be in California to be successful in water polo,” Naruns said. “Matt’s philosophy from the get go has always been to encourage and demand self-discipline, which has ensured the success of this program.”

Anderson is currently the face of Michigan water polo, a fact that isn’t likely to change anytime soon. For now, he has the Wolverines as focused as ever heading into postseason play in search of an NCAA Tournament bid. The national championships are yet to come for the maize and blue, but there’s no doubt that Anderson and his staff have laid an excellent foundation for every future Michigan team.