Jan. 25 vs. UC Davis 1 Berkeley, Calif. 12:00 p.m.
Jan. 25 vs. Long Beach State 1 Berkeley, Calif.
Jan. 26 vs. Stanford (Exh.) 1 Berkeley, Calif.
Jan. 26 vs. Fresno State 1 Berkeley, Calif. 4:00 a.m.
Jan. 31 vs. TBD 2 San Diego, Calif. TBD
Feb. 1 vs. TBD 2 San Diego, Calif. TBD
Feb. 1 vs. TBD 2 San Diego, Calif. TBD
Feb. 2 vs. TBD 2 San Diego, Calif. TBD
Feb. 9 at Arizona State * Tempe, Ariz.
Feb. 15 at UC Irvine Irvine, Calif.
Feb. 21 vs. TBD 3 Irvine, Calif. TBD
Feb. 22 vs. TBD 3 Irvine, Calif. TBD
Feb. 22 vs. TBD 3 Irvine, Calif. TBD
Feb. 23 vs. TBD 3 Irvine, Calif. TBD
Mar. 1 FRESNO STATE/ALUMNI GAME Spieker Aquatics Center 1:00 p.m./TBD
Mar. 8 CALIFORNIA * Spieker Aquatics Center 1:00 p.m.
Mar.
Mar. 16
WWP Contact: Ryan Finney Phone: 310-206-4701
Fax: 310-825-8664
E-mail: rfinney@athletics.ucla.edu
Address: 325 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90095
Credits: The 2025 UCLA women’s water polo information guide was written, edited and designed by Ryan Finney, UCLA Athletic Communications/Associate Director with assistance from UCLA Athletic Communications assistant Micaiah Lee. Photography by Bruin Creative, ASUCLA Campus Studio (Don Liebig), Juan Lainez (Marin Media), Catharyn Hayne Photography, Scott Chandler, Minette Rubin and Scott Quintard. The cover of the 2025 UCLA women’s water polo information guide was designed by Eric Hurd and Summit Athletic Media.
On the Cover: Sophomore Lauren Steele hoists the NCAA Championship trophy while surrounded by her teammates.
#1 Joey NIZ
5-9/So./GK Los Alamitos, Calif.
#5 Bia MANTELLATO
5-9/Jr./CTR São Paulo, Brazil
#12 Molly RENNER
5-9/Sr./ATK Laguna Beach, Calif.
#19 Genoa ROSSI
5-11/Jr./UTL Laguna Beach, Calif.
#26 Aubrey GRAHAM
5-7/Fr./ATK Mountain View, Calif.
#1A Lauren STEELE
6-0/So./GK Old Greenwich, Conn.
#6 Camille GREENLEE
6-1/R-Fr./ATK Carlsbad, Calif.
#13 Lily GESS
5-10/Jr./UTL Newport Beach, Calif.
#20 Anna PEARSON
5-11/Jr./UTL Irvine, Calif.
#1B MJ BAILEY
5-9/Sr./GK Sarasota, Fla.
#7 Taylor SMITH
5-10/Jr./ATK Newport Beach, Calif.
#14 Sienna GREEN
6-4/R-So./UTL Mosman, Australia
#21 Tali STRYKER
5-9/Fr./ATK Lafayette, Calif.
#1C Izzy ROSENSITTO
5-7/Jr./GK Newport Beach, Calif.
#8 Dania INNIS
5-8/So./CTR Orinda, Calif.
#15 Jojo WALTERS
5-4/Fr./ATK Dallas, Texas
#22 Alexsa GIMENEZ
5-2/R-Fr./ATK Commerce, Calif.
#2 Elektra URBATSCH
6-0/So./ATK Brooklyn, N.Y.
#9 Becca MELANSON
5-6/So./ATK Pittsburgh, Pa.
#16 Maile TURNER
5-10/Fr./UTL Danville, Calif.
#23 Kenya CASSIDY
5-9/Fr./UTL Atherton, Calif.
#3 Olivia OUELLETTE
5-7/So./UTL Los Alamitos, Calif.
#10 Emma LINEBACK
5-6/R-Jr./ATK Laguna Beach, Calif.
#17 Jenna HUMAN
5-6/Fr./ATK El Cajon, Calif.
#24 Nicole STRUSS
5-9/Sr./UTL Laguna Beach, Calif.
Valerie AYALA Assistant Coach
#4 Carly McMURRAY
5-10/Jr./ATK Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
#11 Natasha KIECKHAFER
5-11/So./UTL San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
#18 Ryan CHALUPNIK
5-3/Fr./CTR Newport Beach, Calif.
#25 Ana PIEPER
6-0/Fr./ATK Orinda, Calif.
Adam WRIGHT Head Coach
Jason FALITZ Associate Head Coach Brooke MAXSON Assistant Coach
Kyle Boal Director of Operations
NUMERICAL ROSTER
No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown / High School
1 Joey Niz GK 5-9 So. Los Alamitos, Calif. / Los Alamitos HS
Australia (1): Green. Brazil (1): Mantellato. California (22): Cassidy, Chalupnik, Gess, Gimenez, Graham, Greenlee, Human, Innis, Kieckhafer, Lineback, McMurray, Niz, Ouellette, Pearson, Pieper, Renner, Rosensitto, Rossi, Smith, Struss, Stryker, and Turner. Connecticut (1): Steele. Florida (1): Bailey. New York (1): Urbatsch. Pennsylvania (1): Melanson. Texas (1): Walters.
ADAM WRIGHT
Head Coach Eighth Season at UCLA UCLA ‘01
Adam Wright, who has coached the UCLA men’s water polo team to NCAA Championships in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2020, had his role expanded to include the UCLA women’s water polo team, then Director of Athletics Dan Guerrero announced July 20, 2017. Wright, who enters his eighth season as the head coach of the UCLA women’s water polo team in 2025, sports an overall record of 152-36 (.809) with the Bruin women. He is also 31-12 (.721) in MPSF competition.
Wright guided the Bruins to their eighth NCAA Championship and 12th National Championship in program history in 2024 with a perfect 26-0 record. It marked his first NCAA Championship with the women's program and he now has seven total titles, winning two as a player in 1999 and 2000, four as the Head Coach of the UCLA Men's Water Polo team (2014, 2015, 2017, and 2020) and now this year's title with the Bruin women. Wright was named the MPSF and ACWPC National Coach of the year in 2024 and is the first Bruin Head Coach to earn the honor since Adam Krikorian won it in 2009. It is the eighth time a Bruin mentor has been named the national Coach of the Year. Wright guided UCLA to just its third undefeated season in program history, joining the 2005 (33-0) and 2008 (33-0) teams. Just five squads have ever had perfect runs to NCAA Championships, with USC doing it twice (2004 and 2016).
He guided UCLA to a 21-8 overall record and a 4-2 mark in the MPSF in 2023 with the Bruins ranked No. 3 in the final CWPA poll.
He guided the Bruins to a 19-2 overall record and a 2-0 mark in the MPSF in a shortened 2020 season with the Bruins ranked No. 2 in the final CWPA poll. The Bruins defeated No. 1 and defending NCAA Champion USC on the year with a 7-5 win to capture the Triton Invitational title, snapping a six-year reign for the Trojans in that tournament.
Wright began his stint with the women’s program in 2018 as the Bruins went 23-8 overall and 2-3 in league play. The Bruins again reached the semifinals of the NCAA Championship but were forced to play without Olympian and three-time first-team All-American Maddie Musselman and fell to eventual champion USC, 10-6.
He has produced 39 All-Americans, including nine First-Team selections, and 39 All-MPSF honorees including eight First-Team picks in his first seven seasons at the helm. He has also coached five Olympians on the women's side (Maddie Musselman in 2020 and 2024), Bronte Halligan in 2020 and 2024), and Sienna Green (2024).
Wright is the third coach in UCLA water polo history to coach both the men’s and women’s teams. The other two – Guy Baker and Adam Krikorian – are both in the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame. While
coaching both programs from 1995-2000, Baker won seven national titles (four with the women and three with the men). Krikorian coached both programs from 2000-09 and won a total of 11 national titles as head coach (eight women’s championships and three men’s championships). Prior to his tenure as head coach, Wright was a four-year letterwinner at UCLA from 1997-2000, helping lead the Bruins to back-to-back NCAA titles in 1999 and 2000. He totaled 128 goals in his four seasons and was a two-time All-American. Following his collegiate career, he served as a key member on the USA National Team, participating in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. He helped lead Team USA to a seventh-place finish in 2004 (Athens) and to a silver medal in 2008 (Beijing). Wright continued training with the USA National Team while serving as UCLA’s head coach and retired as a player after competing at the 2012 Olympics in London.
Wright got his coaching start as an assistant coach with the varsity boys and girls water polo teams at Wilson High School (Long Beach, Calif.) from 2001-04. He helped coach the boy’s program to four consecutive CIF Division I championships and Moore League titles and also guided the girl’s team to two Moore League titles.
As a senior at UCLA in 2000, Wright scored 39 goals before earning honorable mention All-America acclaim and second-team All-MPSF honors. In 1999, he secured third-team All-America and second-team All-MPSF honors. That season, Wright led UCLA in assists (27) and was second in total points (48) and steals (39).
In his first two seasons, he scored 43 goals - 26 as a freshman and 27 as a sophomore. He gained second-team All-America honors in 1998 and was an honorable mention All-America and All-MPSF selection as a freshman in 1997.
Wright graduated from UCLA in 2001 with degrees in history and sociology.
Following his collegiate career, Wright competed in the European League (Italy and Russia for Bissolati Cremona, Civitavecchia SNC, Nuoto Catania and Dynamo Moscow from 2004-08. He has competed for the U.S. National Team in all major tournaments from 2001-11, helping lead Team USA to the gold medal at the 2003 and 2007 Pan American Games as well as the 2005 ASUA Cup (Mexico City).
Wright is married to Kerry Norris, a former UCLA women’s soccer player. He and his wife reside with their daughter, Rome, and son, Zsolt, in Los Angeles.
Wright’s Career Coaching Record (Women’s)
Wright’s enters his eighth season guiding the UCLA women’s water polo team in 2025.
JASON FALITZ
Associate Head Coach
Third Season
L.A. Valley College ‘06
Jason Falitz entered his 10th year with the men’s water polo program at UCLA in 2024 and his seventh as the Associate Head Coach. He reported to the post of Assistant Coach for the men's program in May of 2015, replacing Dustin Litvak, who assumed the head coaching duties for the boy’s water polo program at Agoura High School and is now the men's head water polo coach at Princeton. He was promoted on August 16, 2017 after Head Coach Adam Wright was also named the Head Coach of the UCLA women’s water polo program on July 20, 2017. Then in August of 2021, he was named the Associate Head Coach for the women's water polo program and will be in his fourth season at that post in 2025.
Falitz was named the 2023 Assistant (Associated Head) Coach of the Year as announced by the ACWPC on May 31, 2024. It marked the first time a Bruin has won this award.
Falitz won an NCAA title with the Bruins in his first year as UCLA went 30-0, defeating USC, 10-7, in the national championship game. He won his second championship in 2017 as UCLA defeated the Trojans at USC, 7-5. He won his third NCAA title (for the 2020 season) as the Bruins again defeated the Trojans at USC, 7-6, on March 21, 2021.
In addition to his duties at UCLA, Falitz is the Head Boy’s Coach and the 16U Coach for the Rose Bowl Water Polo Club, positions he has held since 2012. His 16U team had a top five finish at the National Junior Olympics in 2012 and was top four in 2013. The 16U team also finished second at the 2013 Ironman League Superfinals. In 2014, he earned the Bill Barnett Distinguished Men’s Coaching Award from the USA Water Polo Assembly.
He also served as the Head Boy’s Water Polo Coach at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, Calif., from 2012-14. He grew the program from 20 players to 50 in his three seasons and won the program’s first CIF Division I playoff victory in 2014.
Falitz has also coached in the collegiate world, serving as an assistant coach at Los Angeles Valley College from 2007-14, helping guide the Monarchs to the Western State Conference Championship in 2014.
He served one season (2012) as a volunteer assistant for UCLA Head Coach Adam Wright, coaching the Bruins’ Water Polo Club at the 2012 Fisher Cup. Most recently, he served in the same capacity for UC Davis Head Coach and former Bruin assistant, Daniel Leyson, during the 2014 campaign.
He spent five years (2007-11) as the Boy’s 18U Head Coach at the Rose Bowl Water Polo Club. He guided the team to back-to-backto-back gold medals at the South Florida International Tournament (2009-11) and also guided them to a first place finish at the United State Club Championships in 2010.
Falitz had an extensive playing career, which began at John Burroughs High School. A four-year varsity starter, he was Burroughs’ single season record holder for goals (202) and was the school’s all-time career scoring leader with 455 goals. A twotime All-American and three-time All-CIF selection, he was named the Almont League MVP in 1999 and that same year was the Los Angeles Times and Daily News All-Area Player of the Year. He played club ball at Harvard Water Polo Foundation from 1997-2000 under former Olympic Coach Rich Corso.
He then went on to play at Long Beach State from 2000-02, redshirting the 2000 season. He would later play at Los Angeles Valley College in 2006 where he was named a two-time First Team All-American and the 2006 Western State Conference Player of the Year and the 2006 Los Angeles Valley College Male Athlete of the Year.
BROOKE MAXSON
Assistant Coach
Second Season UCLA ‘21
UCLA Head Coach Adam Wright has completed his coaching staff for the UCLA Women's Water Polo program with Bruin standout Brooke Maxson to the post of assistant coach, he announced today. She will be in her second season on the coaching staff in 2025.
Maxson was a three-time All-America selection at defender for the Bruins (2019-21) and played five seasons at UCLA (201721). She played in 98 career games as a Bruin, registering 46 goals, 30 steals, 29 assists, and 27 field blocks.
"We are very excited to have Brooke Maxson back in Westwood joining our women's water polo staff," Wright said. "Brooke not only understands the expectations and standards of being a UCLA student-athlete, but also the standards and expectations of our program. She will be a great resource not only for our student-athlete development but for continuing to move our culture forward in which she had a large role in during her time here as a player. Brooke's commitment during her five years here played an integral role in where we are as a program today. Our goal is to keep moving our women's water polo program forward each year and having Brooke on staff will allow us to do that. Her experiences as a player and more recently as a coach will be a big asset to not only myself and our staff, but most importantly, to our student-athletes."
Upon graduation in 2021, she joined Matt Flesher's staff as an assistant women's water polo coach at Golden West College where she also assisted with the women's swimming and diving program from 2021-22.
She then spent 2023 as a high school English teacher in Madrid, Spain.
"I am thrilled to be back at UCLA and I'm looking forward to helping out in any way that I can," Maxson said.
VALERIE AYALA
Assistant Coach
First Season
UCLA ‘22
UCLA Head Coach Adam Wright has completed his women's water polo coaching staff with the hiring of UCLA four-time AllAmerican, Val Ayala. Ayala reported to her new post of assistant coach for the UCLA Women's Water Polo team effective Sept. 25, 2024. She will be in her first season in 2025.
Ayala, who replaced Sarah Lizotte, played five seasons for the Bruins from 2019-23 and was a four-time All-American selection (2019-22) and was also named Crestview League's Female Athlete of the Year and the Crestview League's MVP her senior year in 2018 at Foothill High School in Tustin, Calif.
She just completed her first year of coaching as an assistant coach for the Cal State Fullerton Men's Water Polo team, which celebrated its inaugural season in 2023. She also served as an assistant coach for the Titans' Women's Water Polo team in 2024.
"We are really grateful to have Val back in Westwood after her year of coaching at Cal State Fullerton," Wright said. "It is so important for our programs to have continuity and a deep understanding of what it is like to be a student-athlete at UCLA. Val's ability to connect with our student-athletes will simply be different as she was an accomplished student-athlete within our program."
Ayala graduated from UCLA in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in political science. After graduating, she returned to UCLA to take advantage of her COVID year while continuing as a graduate student working to earn a master's degree in transformative coaching and leadership.
"Val understands the demands of performing at a high level in both academics and in the pool," Wright added. "She also knows what the UCLA standard is as she upheld and helped move the standard forward during her playing time here. Val's deep understanding of our expectations for UCLA Water Polo student-athletes will serve each and every one of our current players well and we are excited to have her back at Spieker Aquatics Center."
The UCLA Bruin coaching staff celebrate their 2024 NCAA Championship in Berkeley, Calif.
UCLA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
MJ BAILEY
5-9 / Senior Goalkeeper
Sarasota, Fla. Pine View School IONA
• 4-time UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Fall 2022, Fall 2023, Winter 2023, Winter 2024)
2024
Registered five saves in one quarter of play in their only appearance of the year, a 23-4 win over Biola (Mar. 9) … had a goals against average of 12.00 (three goals allowed in 1.0 quarter played).
2023
Registered two saves in four minutes in their only appearance of the year, in a win over No. 9 Fresno State (Apr. 6) … had a goals against average of 8.00 (one goal allowed in 0.5 quarter played).
2022 (IONA)
Played one season with the Iona Gales, appearing in all 31 games, making 29 starts in the cage … went 13-13 and posted a 12.36 goals against average … made 244 saves, which ranks 11th for a single season in the Gaels' history … they also had 32 steals and added nine assists.
HIGH SCHOOL
A four-year letter winner in water polo and a three-year letter winner in swimming at Venice High School (Fla.) and attended the magnet school Pine View School (Fla.) four years for studies (PVS did not offer varsity sports) … was the captain of the team all four years in water polo, earning the Defensive MVP honor in 2018 … played club for Sarasota United Water Polo.
PERSONAL
Full name: Mary Jane Bailey, prefers MJ … pronouns are they/them … born in San Francisco, Calif. … parents are Beth and Jeff Bailey … has one younger sister, Vivian … both parents attended UCLA for grad school … Ryan Bailey, their cousin once removed, is a four-time Olympian, winning a silver medal with Team USA in 2008 (he also was a four-time All-American at UC Irvine and is in the Anteaters' Hall of Fame) … Joe Bailey, another cousin once removed, was an All-American Track and Field student-athlete at UCLA (shot put 1994) … lists their greatest athletic thrill as, "My freshman year of high school was the very first time my school had a water polo team. We hadn't won a game all year until the last game, which we won 15-14. I played the first three and a half quarters in the field, and the last three minutes in the cage and when we won, the stands erupted. It was the best feeling ever." … chose UCLA because, "It's the No. 1 Public University, has an amazing mathematics program, and outstanding water polo." … lists Ashleigh Johnson and Amanda Longan as the athletes they most admires … enjoys reading, writing poetry, and playing video games in their spare time … majoring in mathematics and has career goals of becoming an accountant.
CAREER STATISTICS
HIGH SCHOOL
KENYA CASSIDY
5-9 / Freshman Utility
Atherton, Calif. Menlo School
Kenya Cassidy was a four-time letterwinner in water polo and swimming at Menlo School … named Second-Team All-CIF Central Coast Section in 2023 … also named Third-Team All-CIF Central Coast Section in 2021 … selected All-West Catholic Athletic League three times in her sophomore, junior, and senior years … played club at Stanford Water Polo Club … helped lead her team to ninth-place finishes at the Junior Olympics in 2022 and 2024 (16U and 18U).
PERSONAL
Full name: Kenya Neet Aileen Cassidy … born in Burlingame, Calif. … parents are Simon and Sukhinder Cassidy … has one older brother, Ryan, and one younger brother, Kieran … decided to attend UCLA because “of the outstanding academics, athletics, and amazing team culture.” … lists Steph Curry as the athlete she admires most … hobbies include traveling, listening to music, and going to the beach … major is psychology.
HIGH SCHOOL
RYAN
CHALUPNIK
5-3 / Freshman Center
Newport Beach, Calif.
Newport Harbor HS
Ryan Chalupnik was a four-time letterwinner in swimming, a three-time letterwinner in water polo, and a two-time letterwinner in surfing at Newport Harbor High School … was a two-time NISCA All-American (2023 and 2024) … also named First-Team All-CIF Southern Section, Sunset League MVP, and First-Team All-Sunset League in 2024 … played club at Newport Beach Water Polo … named USAWP Academic AllAmerican in 2022-23 … member of the U.S. Women's Youth National Team … helped lead team to a gold medal at the Pan-American Aquatics U17 Championships in 2023.
PERSONAL
Full name: Ryan Rae Chalupnik … born in Newport Beach, Calif. … parents are Bekki and Jim Chalupnik … has a younger sister, Rory … decided to attend UCLA because of the academics and team culture … describes greatest athletic thrill as “winning the Junior Olympics and the CIF Southern Section Open Division title in the same year.” … lists Kaleigh Gilchrist as the athlete she admires most … major is psychology with a career objective of becoming a sports therapist. 18
UCLA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
LILY GESS
5-10 / Junior Utility
Newport Beach, Calif.
Newport Harbor HS
• MPSF Newcomer of the Week (Jan. 31, 2023)
• 2-time ACWPC All-Academic (Outstanding - 2023, Superior - 2024)
• MPSF All-Academic Honors (2024)
• Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll (2024)
• 6-time UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024)
2024
Played in 25-of-26 games … recorded 28 total points … collected 17 goals (tied for eighth on the team) and 11 assists (seventh on the team) … drew six exclusions, had six steals, and had three field blocks (tied for eighth on the team) … notched a career-high three goals in a win vs. No. 10 UC San Diego on Jan. 20 at the UCSB Winter Invitational … scored at least one goal in 12-of-25 games … went 3-for-4 in sprints on the year … had a season-best four consecutive games with at least one goal scored … tallied four multi-goal games, including one hat trick. 2023
Played in 29-of-29 games … tallied 11 goals and 11 assists (ninth on the team) for a total of 22 points … also drew two exclusions, had 11 steals, and had three field blocks (tied for seventh on the team) … won her only sprint on the year … scored a season-high and career-high three goals in a 21-7 win over No. 11 UC Davis on Jan. 28 at the California Cup … named MPSF Newcomer of the Week on Jan. 31 … had three multiple-goal games, including one hat trick.
HIGH SCHOOL
Four-year letter winner in water polo as a center/defender at Newport Harbor High School … earned second-team All CIF-SS Division I in 2020 and 2022 … HS team was CIF Southern-Section Champions in 2022 … played club with Newport Beach Water Polo … was twice named an Academic All-American and was also named the Futures Superfinals Best Defender … won a Junior Olympic Championship … member of the U.S. Youth National Team.
PERSONAL
Full name: Lillian Grace Gess, prefers Lily … born in Anaheim, Calif. … parents are Megan and Brent Gess … has two younger brothers, James and John … has two older sisters, Emily and Natalie … athlete she admires most is professional soccer player Alex Morgan … enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with friends in her spare time … lists her greatest athletic thrill as, "winning CIF my senior year as I had been playing with that team since I was 11." … chose UCLA because, "I wanted to be challenged both academically and athletically. I also really loved the team dynamic and everything they stand for." … major is history and she intends to become a lawyer.
CAREER STATISTICS
UCLA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
ALEXSA GIMENEZ
5-2 / Redshirt Freshman Attacker
Commerce, Calif. Downey HS
• UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Spring 2024)
2024
Alexsa Gimenez redshirted the season.
HIGH SCHOOL
Was a four-time letterwinner as an attacker in water polo and swimming (200 M freestyle and 100 M butterfly) at Downey High School … All-CIF-Southern Section Division 4 Second-Team honors in 2020 … two-time First-Team All-CIF-SS Division 2 (2022, 2023) … two-time San Gabriel Valley League water polo MVP (2022, 2023) … San Gabriel League swimming MVP in 2022 … played club for Commerce Water Polo … helped lead team to a silver medal at the 2018 Junior Olympics … earned back-to-back bronze medals at the Junior Olympics (2022, 2023) … member of the 2022 U.S. Club Championship bronze medal team … recipient of the 2022 Role Model of the Year Award and Most Improved Award.
PERSONAL
Full name: Alexsa Nicole Gimenez … born in Huntington Park, Calif. … parents are Gladys Saravia and Alejandro Gimenez … has an older sister, Ayelen … describes her greatest athletic thrill as her third place finish at the 2023 Junior Olympics with her Commerce club team and seeing the, “huge family that we had made throughout the eight years we had played together. The happiness of seeing everyone grow through adversity and become not just amazing players but people was a wonderful feeling.” … lists Lionel Messi as the athlete she admires most … decided to attend UCLA because, "As a first-generation college student, I knew that I needed to go somewhere that provided me with a variety of opportunities to keep progressing in my future. These pathways are there for me to create as I have throughout my life. UCLA is also close to the people I call home, the people who have taught me to be strong and have helped me to rise to the challenge that is being a student-athlete at the number one public university.” … hobbies include road tripping to national parks, hiking, painting, and photography … major in physiological science with the career goal of becoming a sports medicine physician.
HIGH SCHOOL
AUBREY GRAHAM
5-7 / Freshman
Attacker
Mountain View, Calif.
Mountain View HS
Aubrey Graham was a four-time letterwinner in water polo and a two-time letterwinner in swimming at Mountain View High School … was a two-time Santa Clara Valley Athletic League First-Team All-League selection in her junior and senior seasons … played club at NorCal Aquatics.
PERSONAL
Full name: Aubrey Thea Graham … born in Palo Alto, Calif. … parents are Corbin and Ann-Christel Graham, who both attended UCLA … has a younger brother, Brayden … decided to attend UCLA because “it’s the No. 1 public university and has excellent academics and top athletics programs. It holds everything I desire in a college and surrounds me with a driven yet fun atmosphere that encourages me to excel in all aspects of life.” … lists Alex Morgan as the athlete she admires most … hobbies include attending concerts, hanging out with friends, and reading … major is psychology.
14
UCLA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
SIENNA GREEN
6-4 / Redshirt Sophomore
Utility
Mosman, Australia
SCEGGS Darlinghurst
• ACWPC All-American (Honorable Mention 2023)
• MPSF All-Newcomer Team (2023)
• ACWPC All-Academic (Outstanding 2023)
• 3-time UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Winter 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2023)
2024
Took the season off to train and compete with the Aussie Stingers, the National Team of Australia, at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, where she won a silver medal.
2023
Played in 29-of-29 games … was eighth on the team in scoring with 46 points … had 39 goals (third on the team) and seven assists … also drew 15 exclusions (fourth on the team), tallied 17 steals (sixth on the team), and six field blocks (third on the team) … won both of her sprints on the year … scored a season-high four goals twice (in a win over No. 24 CSUN on Feb. 3 at the UCSD Triton Invitational and in a win at No. 20 San José State on Mar. 12) … had nine multiple-goal games, and four hat tricks with included two four-goal games … scored at least one goal in 24-of-29 games played … scored at least one goal in a season-best 14 consecutive games from Mar. 11 to May 14 (streak still active heading into 2024).
TEAM AUSTRALIA
Captained the national under-18 team, before earning her first cap for the Australian women’s team, the Stingers, in 2022 … made her debut with the Stingers against Canada in March of 2022 … served as captain and was the highest goal-scorer of the Australian team at the 2022 FINA World Women's Youth Water Polo Championships in Belgrade, Serbia … was selected for the Stingers’ 2024 World Championship squad … played in all seven games, marking some of the world’s best attackers while scoring nine goals herself as Australia finished sixth at the Doha tournament … scored two goals in quick succession in a thrilling 9-10 quarter-final loss to reigning Olympic champions USA …at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Sienna and the Stingers became the most successful Australian water polo team ever at an overseas Olympic Games, winning a silver medal (first medal since 2012) … their silver medal performance was close to being gold, going down 11-9 to world number one Spain in the gold medal match … they got there with an undefeated run in the group matches against the Netherlands, Hungary, China and Canada with two of those wins coming via penalty shootout … they took out Greece in the quarterfinals and world powerhouse Team USA in the semis in another penalty shootout … neither of UCLA’s players for the Aussies (Bronte Halligan) scored in the gold medal match, but Halligan added two assists and one field block … Green scored three goals in Paris and contributed two rebounds and two field blocks.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended SCEGGS Darlinghurst for 10 years … played club ball for Sydney University … won gold at the 2022 FINA Women’s Water Polo World League Intercontinental Cup as a member of the Australian Senior National Team (the Stingers) … made her
debut with the National Team against Canada in March of 2022 … served as captain and was the highest goal scorer of the Australian Youth team at the 2022 FINA World Women's Youth Water Polo Championships in Belgrade, Serbia …also has been a member of Junior and Youth Australian squads since 2018 … won the Australian Water Polo League (KAP7 Cup) in 2021 … also won the U18 Australian Nationals competition in 2020 with the Sydney Uni Lions.
PERSONAL
Full name: Sienna Rose Green … born in Sydney, Australia … parents are Antony and Tessa Green … has an older sister, Allie, and an older brother, Zac … her father, Antony, and a cousin both attended UCLA … greatest athletic thrill was suiting up with the Aussie Stingers for the first time at the FINA World League in 2022 … lists USA swimmer Michael Phelps and Australian tennis player Ashleigh Barty as the athletes she most admires … says she chose UCLA because, "I wanted to be part of a family that excels in both athletics and academics." … enjoys spending time with friends and cooking … at 6-4, she is the tallest person in her family … has yet to declare a major.
CAREER STATISTICS
UCLA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
CAMILLE GREENLEE
6-1 / Redshirt Freshman
Attacker
Carlsbad, Calif.
The Bishop's School
• 3-time UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024)
2024
Camille Greenlee redshirted the season.
HIGH SCHOOL
Was a three-time letterwinner in water polo and swimming at The Bishop’s School … was a three-time USAWP Academic All-American (2020-22) … helped lead her team to the three-straight San Diego CIF Open Division Championships (2021-23) … named First-Team CIF and First-Team All-Western League in 2023 … led Bishop’s team in steals and assists in her senior year (2023) … played club at San Diego Shores … member of the 2019 U.S. Development National Team … competed in the Junior Olympics, with two fourth-place finishes in 2019 and 2021 (14U and 16U) and earning a silver medal in 2022 (16U).
PERSONAL
Full name: Camille Rae Greenlee … born in La Jolla, Calif. … parents are Kristin and Ken Greenlee … has an older brother, Ryan, who played water polo at UC Irvine … father, Ken, attended UCLA … mother, Kristin, played tennis at USC … decided to attend UCLA because, “Growing up around campus and going to football games, I’ve always thought of UCLA as home. I love the team dynamic and chemistry. It’s always been a dream of mine to go to a school where both academics and athletics are recognized worldwide.” … lists Serena Williams as the athlete she admires most … describes her greatest athletic thrill as, “Scoring the game-winning goal against Laguna Beach in the CIF State Quarterfinals” … hobbies include surfing, sunset swims, listening to music, dancing, and going to the beach … major is undeclared with a career objective in sports broadcast journalism.
HIGH SCHOOL
JENNA HUMAN
5-6 / Freshman Attacker
El Cajon, Calif. Santana HS
Jenna Human was a four-time letterwinner in water polo and swimming at Santana High School … as a freshman, she helped lead her team to an undefeated season and captured the San Diego CIF Division II Championship, the first title in school history … named the San Diego CIF Division II Player of the Year … selected to the 202223 and 2023-24 All-CIF San Diego First-Team … also named All-Grossmont Valley League First-Team (2021-24) and crowned the Grossmont Valley League Player of the Year in 2021 … holds Santana High School’s record for goals scored (474) and was named the school’s MVP from 2021-24 … honored as Santana High School’s Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year in 2024 … played club at San Diego Shores Water Polo Club … helped lead her team to a silver medal at the Junior Olympics in 2021 (16U) and was named All-American in 2022 … member of the ODP U.S. Women’s Cadet National Team from 2021-22 and the U.S. Women’s Youth National Team from 2023-24.
PERSONAL
Full name: Jenna Lilian Human … born in San Diego, Calif. … parents are Danielle Dabbaghian and John Human … has an older brother, Jacob … mother, Danielle, played water polo at San Diego State … decided to attend UCLA because of “its great combination of academics and athletics. The hard-driven water polo program here at UCLA provides an atmosphere I felt was the best fit for me.” … lists the late Kobe Bryant as the athlete she admires most … hobbies and interests include going to the beach, hiking, exploring new places, spending time with family, and reading books on Kobe Bryant … major is psychology with a career objective of becoming a sports psychologist.
UCLA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
DANIA INNIS
6-1 / Sophomore Center
Orinda, Calif. Miramonte HS
• ACWPC All-Academic Honors (Superior - 2024)
• 2-time UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Winter 2024, Spring 2024)
2024
Played in 21-of-26 games … had 15 goals and two assists for 17 total points on the season … drew 15 exclusions (tied for fourth on the team) … recorded a season-high five goals in a win over Biola on March 9 … scored at least one goal in 9-of-21 games played … scored at least one goal in a season-best five consecutive games … notched three multiple-goal games, with one five-goal game.
HIGH SCHOOL
Was a four-year letterwinner in water polo as a center and a two-time letterwinner in swimming at Miramonte High School … was a three-time First-Team All-Diablo League selection (sophomore, junior, and senior years) … recipient of the 49ers Cal-Hi Scholar Athlete Award in 2023 … named First-Team NISCA All-America in 2023 … played club
at Lamorinda Water Polo Club (LAMO) … was a member of the U.S. Development National Team, the Youth National Team, and the USA Water Polo Academy Team … competed in the Junior Olympics, helping lead her team to three bronze medals (2021-23) … selected as a First-Team All-American at the Junior Olympics in 2021 … tournament MVP at the 2021 Futures Super Finals … Academic All-American (2020-23)
PERSONAL
Full name: Dania Rose Innis … born in Berkeley, Calif. … parents are Rola and Tom Innis … has an older sister, Fiona … her father, Tom, played football at Army while her grandfather played football at California… decided to attend UCLA, “because it has the perfect blend of strong academics and great athletics and places a great emphasis on team culture and has an amazing coaching staff” … describes her greatest athletic thrill as, “going undefeated for three years, finishing my senior year 70-0.” … lists Draymond Green as the athlete she admires most … likes going to the beach, cooking, traveling, and watching sunsets in her spare time … major is undeclared.
CAREER STATISTICS
11
UCLA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
NATASHA KIECKHAFER
5-11 / Sophomore Utility
San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Santa Margarita Catholic HS
• ACWPC All-Academic Honors (Superior - 2024)
• 3-time UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024)
2024
Played in all 26 games … tallied 17 goals (tied for eighth on the team) and nine assists (ninth on the team), scoring 26 total points on the season … drew nine exclusions (tied for sixth on the team) and had six steals … had a season-high three goals twice on the season (in a win vs. No. 14 Arizona State on Feb. 3 at the UCSD Triton Invitational and in a win over Biola on March 9) … went 2-for-3 on sprints for the year … scored at least one goal in 11-of-26 games … recorded a season-best four consecutive games with at least one goal scored … had four multiple-goal games, including two hat tricks.
HIGH SCHOOL
Was a four-time letterwinner as a utility in water polo at Santa Margarita Catholic High School … holds the SMCHS record for goals scored in one game (11) and exclusions drawn in a season (105) … received the Santa Margarita Catholic HS Eagle of the Year Award as a senior, helping lead the team to a CIF Southern-Section Division I Championship in 2023 … earned All-America and All-CIF-Southern Section honors in 2023 … two-time All-Trinity League Honorable Mention (2019, 2020) and named to the First-Team All-Trinity League and First-Team All-CIF-Southern Section honors as a junior in 2022 … has been named to the U.S. National Team selection camp since 2018, member of the U.S. National Travel Team to Greece in 2021 and was a member of the U.S. National Team (2018-21, 2023) … member of the USA Academy Team (2019-23) … played club at SET and SOCAL … with SOCAL, earned a fourth-place finish at the Junior Olympics in 2023 … with SET, two-time U.S. club champion (2021, 2022) and back-to-back second-place finishes at the Junior Olympics … also named an All-American at the JOs in 2021.
PERSONAL
Full name: Natasha Helena Kieckhafer … born in Laguna Hills, Calif. … parents are Lia and James Kieckhafer … has a younger brother, Zane … older sister, Alexis, is a senior and the captain of the Women’s Water Polo Team at Harvard … older brother,
PLAYER PROFILES
Will, is also a senior and is a two-time national champion on the California Men’s Water Polo Team …decided to attend UCLA because, “not only is it one of the top universities with a top water polo program, but the level of excellence the team holds itself to in and outside of the pool is something I wanted to be around” … lists Michael Jordan and the late Kobe Bryant as athletes she admires … has yet to declare a major.
CAREER STATISTICS
UCLA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
EMMA LINEBACK
5-6 / RS-Junior Attacker
Laguna Beach, Calif. Laguna Beach HS
• ACWPC All-American (Honorable Mention 2023)
• All-MPSF (Second Team 2023)
• MPSF All-Newcomer Team (2022)
• MPSF/KAP7 Newcomer of the Week (Mar. 8, 2022)
• 2-time ACWPC All-Academic (Superior 2022, 2023)
• Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll (2023)
• 6-time UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Fall 2021, Winter 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Spring 2023)
2024
Emma Lineback redshirted the season to train with the U.S. National Team for the 2024 Olympic Games.
2023
Played in 27-of-29 games … led the team in scoring with 79 points … totaled 52 goals (first on the team) and 27 assists (first on the team) … also drew 13 exclusions (sixth on the team), had 24 steals (tied for the lead on the team) and four field blocks (T-3rd on the team) … went .500 on sprints on the year (4-4) … scored a season-high and career-high five goals in the win vs. No. 11 UC Davis on Jan. 28 at the California Cup … scored at least one goal in 25-of-27 games played and had at least one assist in 16-of-27 games played … had 18 multiple-goal games, including four hat tricks, one four-goal game, and one five-goal game … scored at least one goal in 14 consecutive games from Jan. 20 to Feb. 25 … notched a season-high four assists in the win over No. 3 UC Irvine in the first round at the NCAA Championships on May 12 … scored at least one goal in 10 consecutive games from Apr. 2 to May 14 … also had at least one assist in nine consecutive games from Apr. 6 to May 16.
2022
Was second on the team in scoring with 66 points … totaled 40 goals (2nd on the team) and 26 assists (2nd on the team) … also had 17 steals (T-3rd on the team), five field blocks (T-6th on the team), five exclusions drawn, and was .333 on sprints (1-2) on the year … scored a season-high three goals eight times (in a win over No. 23 Wagner on Jan. 21, in a win over No. 21 California Baptist University on Jan. 22, in a win over Salem on Jan. 29, in a win over No. 11 San Jose State on Feb. 4, in a win over No. 8 Fresno State on Feb. 5, in a win over Santa Clara on Feb. 12, in a win at No. 17 Pacific on Mar. 6, and in a win over sixth-seeded Indiana in the first round of the MPSF Tournament on Apr. 22) … scored at least one goal in a season-best six consecutive games (which included three straight games with a hat trick) on the year … scored at least one goal in 21-of-30 games and dished out at least one assist in 14-of-30 games on the season … had 11 multiple-goal games including eight hat tricks.
HIGH SCHOOL
Was a three-year varsity letter winner at Laguna Beach High School as an attacker … 2021 co-MVP of the Surf League … 2020 Orange County Register Player of the Year … three-time first-team All-CIF-SS (2019-21) and a two-time first-team All-Surf League selection (2020-21) … registered 236 career points in 76 prep games with 137 goals, 99 assists, and 75 steals … had 39 goals, 25 assists, 29 steals, and 46 exclusions drawn in 2019 … had 80 goals, 59 assists, 32 steals, and 32 exclusions drawn in 2020 … had 18 goals, 11 assists, and 14 steals in a COVID-shortened 2021 season … secondteam All-Sunset League in 2019 … third-team all-county in 2019 and first-team in 2020-21 … played club at Saddleback El Toro (SET Black) … 2017 14-U Junior Olympic champion and 2018 and 2019 16-U Junior Olympic champion … 2019 16-U first-team All-American … 2017 14-U second-team All-American … member of USA Water Polo’s Olympic Development Program pipeline … member of the 2017 Development National Team, the 2018 Cadet National Team, and the 2019 Youth National Team that won gold at the Youth UANA Pan American Games.
PERSONAL
Full name: Emma Jane Lineback … born in Fullerton, Calif. … parents are Daniel and Tracy Lineback … says she chose UCLA because, "I felt that UCLA not only had an outstanding Water Polo program, but also had the most to offer me academically. Overall, it was the best fit for me in all aspects of what I was looking for in a college." … lists her greatest athletic thrill as, "When I competed at the 2019 UANA Youth Pan American Games as a member of USA Water Polo’s Youth National Team. It was such a cool experience to compete at such a high level and it’s an experience that I’ll never forget." … lists Mia Hamm, Simone Biles, and Larry Bird as the athletes she most admires … enjoys pottery, going to the beach, and watching movies … wants to work with people with special needs or disabilities … major is psychology.
CAREER STATISTICS
BIA MANTELLATO
5-9 / Junior Center
São Paulo, Brazil Newport Harbor HS
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS (HAWAI'I)
• Cutino Award Finalist (2024)
• 2-time ACWPC All-American (First Team 2024; Second Team 2023)
• NCAA All-Tournament Team (First Team 2024)
• 2-time Big West Player of the Year (2023, 2024)
• 2-time All-Big West (First Team 2023, 2024)
• Big West Freshman of the Year (2023)
• 4-time Big West Player of the Week (Feb. 8, 2023; Mar. 29, 2023; Apr. 5, 2023; Jan. 24, 2024)
• 2-time ACWPC All-Academic (Superior 2023, 2024)
• College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic At-Large All-District Team (2024)
• Big West Commissioner's Honor Roll (2023)
2024 (HAWAI'I)
Played in all 27 games … led the team in goals with 64 and finished fifth on the team in scoring with 70 points (six assists) … also drew a team-high 60 exclusions, had 20 steals (fifth on the team) and four field blocks … was UH's 13th First-Team All-American and first since 2021 … was also Hawai'i's first ever finalist for the Cutino Award … was the second Rainbow Wahine to earn back-to-back Big West Player of the Year awards, first since Irene Gonzalez (2018-19) … scored a season-high five goals in wins vs.
San Diego State (Feb. 2), UC Davis (Feb. 3), and UC San Diego (Mar. 29) … scored at least one goal in 25-of-27 games played … had 20 multiple-goal games, including 10 hat tricks, three four-goal games, and three five-goal games … scored at least one goal in a career-best 16 consecutive games from Feb. 4 to Apr. 27 … tied for the team lead with 114 shots and scored on a team-high 56.1 percent of her attempts.
2023 (HAWAI'I)
Played in all 27 games … led the team in goals with 82 and in scoring with 92 points (10 assists) … also drew a team-high 37 exclusions, had 17 steals (fifth on the team) and three field blocks … also led the team in shots (151) and in shooting percentage (.543) … scored a season-high and career-high seven goals in a win at UC San Diego (Mar. 31) … the seven goals marked the highest single-match output since 2013 (10 years) and was tied for the third-most ever in a match … scored at least one goal in 25-of-27 games played … had 21 multiple-goal games, including 15 hat tricks, six four-goal games, six five-goal games, and one six-goal game … scored at least one goal in a season-best 11 consecutive games from Jan. 14 to Feb. 25 (to open her collegiate career) … tied for the team lead with 114 shots and scored on a team-high 56.1 percent of her attempts … netted five goals and accounted for six points in just her second-ever collegiate match versus Loyola Marymount … had a four-match stretch in which she scored on every shot she took (11 attempts), including a six-goal performance against Fresno State (Feb. 4).
HIGH SCHOOL
Earned a varsity letter at Newport Harbor High School as a center … named First-Team All-CIF and First-Team All-Sunset League in 2022 when she played her only year at Newport Harbor HS … competed for Club Painerias and Esporte Clube Pinheiros for 11 years … was a member of the Brazilian National Team from 2017-22 … earned the Brazil Olympic Award as the team's best player in 2021.
PERSONAL
Full name: Ana Beatriz Mantellato Dias, prefers Bia Mantellato … born in São Paulo, Brazil … parents are Ana Cristina Dias and Nilson Junior … has two older sisters, Gabriela and Mariana … her sister, Gabriela Mantellato was on the 2016 Olympic water polo team for Brazil and also played at Hawai'i while her sister, Mariana Mantellato is a member of the Brazilian volleyball National Team … says she chose UCLA because, "It's been a dream to have the combination of top water polo and academics while being surrounded by amazing people in an amazing place." … lists her greatest athletic thrill as, "when she forced overtime with less than a second on the clock, with a half court skip shot against California at Hawai'i, and then winning with a goalie scoring a buzzer beater in sudden death." … lists Pelé, the late Kobe Bryant, and Maggie Steffens as the athletes she most admires … enjoys reading and going to the beach as things she likes to do in her spare time … is fluent in four languages … major is International Development Studies.
CAREER STATISTICS
UCLA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
CARLY McMURRAY
5-10 / Junior Attacker
Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
Santa Margarita Catholic HS
• ACWPC All-Academic (Excellent - 2023)
• MPSF All-Academic Team (2024)
• 4-time UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Fall 2023, Winter 2024)
2024
Played in 14-of-26 games … totaled five goals and three assists for a total of eight points … also had four steals, two field blocks, and drew two exclusions … scored a season-high two goals twice, in a win over California Baptist University on Feb. 2 at the UCSD Triton Invitational and in a win over Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 23 the Barbara Kalbus Invitational.
2023
Played in 17-of-29 games … totaled two goals and one assist for a total of three points … also had one steal and one field block … scored a season-high one goal twice (in a win over No. 24 CSUN on Feb. 3 at the UCSD Triton Invitational and in a win over No. 16 Loyola Marymount on Mar. 18 at the LMU Invitational).
HIGH SCHOOL
Played four years at Santa Margarita Catholic High School … named First Team All-CIFSouthern Section her senior year (2022) … named Second Team All-Trinity League and Honorable Mention All-CIF-Southern Section her junior year (2021) … USAWP All-America honorable mention … earned Most Improved for the 2019 season … played club at SET … member of the 2019 USA Water Polo Junior Olympic and Club championship team … member of the USAWP Development, Cadet, and Youth national teams … traveled to Greece with the youth national team in 2021.
PERSONAL
Full name: Carly Elizabeth McMurray … born in Mission Viejo, Calif. … parents are Erin and Dennis McMurray … has an older brother, Tanner … athlete she admires most is the late Kobe Bryant … enjoys time at the beach, wake surfing, and wakeboarding with her family … wants to try sky diving … major is sociology.
CAREER STATISTICS
UCLA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
BECCA MELANSON
5-6 / Sophomore Attacker
Pittsburgh, Pa.
North Allegheny HS
• ACWPC All-Academic (Excellent - 2024)
• 3-time UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024) 2024
Played in 25-of-26 games … recorded 18 goals (seventh on the team) and 25 assists (tied for third on the team), totaling 43 points on the season (tied for sixth on the team) … tied for eighth on the team with nine steals … drew six exclusions and had four field blocks (tied for sixth on the team) … scored a season-high four goals in a win vs. Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 23 at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational … scored at least one goal in 12-of-25 games played … had a season-high three consecutive games with at least one goal scored … recorded three multiple-goal games, including one four-goal game and one hat trick.
HIGH SCHOOL
Was a four-time letterwinner in water polo and a three-time letterwinner in swimming at North Allegheny High School … is the NAHS all-time record holder in goals (322) and total points (755) … was a three-time NISCA All-American, earning First-Team honors as a senior … also a four-time WPIAL All-Scholar Athlete … recipient of 2022 Miss Pennsylvania Water Polo … played club at Long Beach Aquatics Federation, earning 2022 Junior Olympics All-American honors … helped lead the team to a gold
PLAYER PROFILES
medal at the UANA Pan American Games in 2022 … two-time member of the U.S. Development National Team and Cadet National Team … participated in training with the Junior National Team (training vs Australia and New Zealand Senior National Teams) … also a four-time Academic All-American.
PERSONAL
Full name: Rebecca Paige Melanson, prefers Becca … born in Burlington, Vt. … parents are Tony and Jeannine Melanson … has an older sister, Sophia, and an older brother, Marc … decided to attend UCLA because, “It (UCLA) has always been my dream school. I started to really get involved in water polo in 7th grade, and asked for UCLA water polo merchandise for my 13th birthday.” … interests include listening to live music, trying new foods, traveling and meeting new people … major is undeclared.
CAREER STATISTICS
UCLA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
JOEY NIZ
5-9 / Sophomore Goalkeeper
Los Alamitos, Calif.
Los Alamitos HS
• 2-time UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Winter 2024, Spring 2024)
2024
Registered 37 saves (14.17 per game), six steals, and one assist in eight appearances (zero starts) … had a goals against average of 10.73 on the year (28 goals allowed in 10.442 quarters played) … collected a season-high nine saves in two quarters of action in a win over California Baptist University (Feb. 2) at the UCSD Triton Invitational.
HIGH SCHOOL
Lettered in water polo and swimming at Los Alamitos High School … two-time FirstTeam All-CIF-Southern Section honors (2023, 2022) … named First-Team All Sunset League and league MVP in 2023 … helped lead team to a league championship … played club at Los Alamitos Aquatic Foundation, earning Junior Olympic First-Team All-America honors (2023).
PERSONAL
Full name is Josephine Paciencia Niz, prefers Joey … born in Los Angeles, Calif. … parents are David Niz and Maria Dungo … has an older brother, Gabriel, a younger sister, Madeline, and an older sister, Olivia … mother attended UCLA … decided to attend UCLA because, “I appreciate the team culture and tight-knit team dynamic. It was clear that the team cares for each other in and out of the water.” … lists the late Kobe Bryant and Simone Biles as the athletes she most admires … hobbies include scrapbooking and tanning at the beach … major is business economics with the career goal of becoming a sports agent.
CAREER STATISTICS
UCLA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
OLIVIA OUELLETTE
5-7
/ Sophomore
Utility
Los Alamitos, Calif. Los Alamitos HS
• UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Spring 2024)
2024
Played in 24-of-26 games … scored 14 total points on the season … tallied 11 goals and three assists … recorded nine steals (tied for eighth on the team) … scored at least one goal in 8-of-24 games … went 1-0 on sprints on the year … had a career-high two goals scored three times on the season (in a win over No. 25 Marist on Jan. 20 at the UCSB Winter Invitational, in a win over Biola on March 9, and in a win over. No. 17 San José State on March 17) … had three multiple-goal games.
HIGH SCHOOL
Was a four-time letterwinner in water polo (started all four years) and swimming at Los Alamitos High School … led the team and Sunset - Surf League in scoring (85 goals) in 2023 and was named the League MVP … also named First-Team All-American, First-Team All-CIF-SS, First-Team All-Sunset League, and First-Team All-County by the O.C. Register her senior year (2023) … earned Second-Team All-CIF-SS and SecondTeam All-Sunset League honors in 2022 while being named the league's Defensive Player of the Year … was named an Honorable Mention All-American in 2021 … was a three-time Scholar Athlete (2020, 2022, and 2023) … played club at Los Alamitos Aquatics and Laguna Beach WPC … with LBWPC, was a First-Team All-American in 2019 and won a silver medal at the Junior Olympics 18U Girls Platinum Division in 2023.
PERSONAL
Full name: Olivia Elizabeth Ouellette … born in Newport, Calif. … parents are Sarah Weddon and Rob Gerhardstein … has an older brother, Ryan, an older sister, Ashley, and a younger sister, Sophie … decided to attend UCLA because, “of the strong support system and balance between academics and athletics.” … describes her greatest athletic thrill as, "Winning Sunset League my senior year." … says she enjoys shopping, surfing, and working out in her spare time … lists the late Kobe Bryant as the athlete she admires most … has yet to declare a major.
• 2-time MPSF Newcomer of the Week (Feb. 7, 2023, Apr. 4, 2023)
• ACWPC All-Academic Honors (Excellent - 2024)
• MPSF All-Academic Team (2024)
• 5-time UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Winter 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024)
2024
Played in all 26 games … tied for sixth on the team in scoring with 43 total points … scored 39 goals (led team) and had four assists … drew 82 exclusions (led the team), had 11 steals (tied for sixth on the team), and had three field blocks … scored at least one goal in 20-of-26 games … scored at least one goal in eight consecutive games twice on the season … went 1-0 in sprints on the year … tied her career-high of five goals in a win vs. No. 14 UC Davis on Jan. 27 at the California Cup … had 10 multiplegoal games, including two hat tricks, two four-goal games, and one five-goal game.
2023
Played in 29-of-29 games … was tied for fifth on the team in scoring with 49 points … had 46 goals (second on the team) and three assists … also drew 42 exclusions (led the team), had 15 steals (tied for seventh on the team) and had two field blocks … scored a season-high five goals in a win at No. 18 UC San Diego on Feb. 4 at the UCSD Triton Invitational … scored at least one goal in 23-of-29 games … scored at least one goal in a season-best nine consecutive games … had 14 multiple-goal games and six hat tricks, including one four-goal game and one five-goal game.
HIGH SCHOOL
Four-year letter winner in both water polo and swimming at Orange Lutheran High School … named First Team All-CIF-Southern Section as a senior in 2022 and as a sophomore in 2020 … as a junior, named team MVP, Trinity League first-team, and Junior Olympic first-team All-American … sophomore year was named All-County and MVP of Trinity League and Orange Lutheran’s team … named the Offensive Player of the Year for Orange Lutheran as a freshman, helping her team to the CIF SS Regional Division 1 championship … played club at SET, earning Junior Olympic first-team All-America honors.
PERSONAL
Full name: Anna Marie Pearson … born in New York, N.Y. … parents are Jacquelyn and Keir Pearson … has an older sister, Samantha, and a younger brother, Alex … athlete she admires most is Abby Wambach … enjoys going to the beach and spending time with friends … sister Samantha swims at Stanford … mother swam at Brown …. father rowed crew at Harvard … has not declared a major.
CAREER STATISTICS
HIGH SCHOOL
Ana Pieper was a four-time letterwinner in swimming and water polo at Campolindo High School … she was a three-time NISCA All-American … named NISCA First-Team All-American in the 2023 and 2024 … was also a three-time All-Diablo First-Team selection for water polo and swimming in her sophomore, junior, and senior years … played club at Lamorinda Water Polo Club … helped lead her team to a runner-up finish at the 2024 Junior Olympics and was a First-Team selection … also helped lead team to a first-place finish at the U.S. Club Water Polo Championships in 2024 and
was named the All-Tournament MVP … also a member of the 2023 U.S. Women’s Pipeline National Team along with current Bruins Lauren Steele, Becca Melanson, Natasha Kieckhafer, and Jojo Walters.
PERSONAL
Full name: Ana Elizabeth Pieper … born in Walnut Creek, Calif. … parents are Shasta and Darren Pieper … decided to attend UCLA because of the “environment and culture” … lists Cameron Brink and Tom Brady as athletes she admires the most … hobbies include wake surfing … cousins, Jessica and Maggie Steffens, are multi-time U.S. Olympic medalists in water polo … major is business economics with career aspirations in real estate.
UCLA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
MOLLY RENNER
5-9 / Senior Attacker
Laguna Beach, Calif. Laguna Beach HS
• ACWPC All-American (Honorable Mention 2022)
• MPSF All-Newcomer Team (2022)
• 2-time MPSF/KAP7 Newcomer of the Week (Feb. 1, 2022, Feb. 15, 2022)
• 2-time Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll (2023, 2024)
• 9-time UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Fall 2021, Winter 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024)
2024
Played in 21-of-26 games … was sixth on the team with 22 goals scored and tied for third on the team with 25 assists … recorded 47 total points (fifth on the team) … drew six exclusions, had five field blocks (tied for fourth on the team), and had 17 steals (fourth on the team) … tied career-high of three goals twice on the season (in a win vs. Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 23 at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational and in a win at No. 14 Indiana on March 2) … scored at least one goal in 15-of-21 games … went 12-for-22 in sprints on the year … scored at least one goal in a season-best seven consecutive games … had five multiple-goal games, including two hat tricks.
2023
Played in all 29 games … totaled 25 goals (eighth on the team) and 12 assists (T-7th on the team) for a total of 37 points scored (10th on the team) … also had 13 steals, one field block, and won 64 percent of her sprints on the year (14-8) … scored a season-high two goals seven times on the season (in the win vs. No. 11 UC Davis on Jan. 28, in the win against No. 24 CSUN on Feb. 3, in the win over No. 22 San Diego State on Feb. 24, in the win vs. No. 15 UC Santa Barbara on Feb. 24, in the win at No. 20 San José State on Mar. 12, in the win at No. 19 Arizona State on Apr. 8, and in the win vs. No. 3 UC Irvine in the first round of the NCAA Championship on May 12) … scored at least one goal in 18-of-29 games played and had at least one assist in 11of-29 games … scored at least one goal in a season-best seven consecutive games … also had seven consecutive games with one assist.
2022
Was fifth on the team in scoring with 45 points … totaled 31 goals (5th on the team) and 14 assists (6th on the team) … also had 17 steals (T-3rd on the team), four field blocks (8th on the team), eight exclusions drawn (T-8th on the team), and was .625 on sprints (5-3) on the year … scored a season-high three goals in a win at No. 18 UC Santa Barbara on Jan. 23 … scored at least one goal in a season-best five consecutive games (scored multiple goals in four of the five games) on the year … scored at least one goal in 19-of-30 games and dished out at least one assist in 11-of-30 games on the season … had 11 multiple-goal games including one hat trick.
PLAYER PROFILES
HIGH SCHOOL
Was a three-year varsity letter winner at Laguna Beach High School as an attacker in water polo and also as a freestyler in swimming … named first-team All-CIF-SS in 2020 and to the second-team All-CIF-SS in 2019 … registered 143 career goals, 100 assists, and 82 steals … played club at Saddleback El Toro (SET Black) … named firstteam All-American for four years … 2017 14-U Junior Olympic champion and 2018 and 2019 16-U Junior Olympic champion … member of USA Water Polo’s Olympic Development Program pipeline.
PERSONAL
Full name: Molly Catherine Renner … born in Laguna Beach, Calif. … parents are Beth and Bill Renner … has two older brothers, Billy and Tommy, and one older sister, Maggie … says she chose UCLA because, "I wanted to continue my water polo career with a team that acted as a family. I’m excited to continue my water polo career at a high level with people who support me." … lists her greatest athletic thrill as, "winning CIF Championship two years in a row." … lists the late Kobe Bryant as the athlete she most admires … enjoys surfing, skiing, and traveling … has traveled to 10 countries as her dad is a pilot (now retired) … has yet to declare a major.
• 6-time UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024)
2024
Played 5:14 (0.654 quarters) making one appearance on the year (zero starts) … had a goals against average of 12.23 on the year (two goals allowed in 0.654 quarters played) … didn't record any other statistics in the win over No. 17 San Jose State (Mar. 17).
2023
Registered four saves in 1.604 quarters played making two appearances … had a goals against average of 9.98 on the year (four goals allowed in 1.604 quarters played) … collected a season-high two saves twice (in a win over No. 9 Fresno State on Apr. 6 and in a win at No. 19 Arizona State on Apr. 8).
HIGH SCHOOL
Four-year varsity letter winner and three-year starter at Santa Margarita High School … named first-team All-Trinity League … second-team All-Trinity League as a sophomore … played club with SET (Saddleback El Toro) … finished fourth at 18-U Junior Olympics … 16-U team won Junior Olympics and was first in club championships … competed with ODP national team selection training camp.
PERSONAL
Full name: Isabella Michelle Rosensitto, prefers Izzy … parents are Michele and Lewis Rosensitto … has two older brothers, Joe and Chris … admires Ashleigh Johnson, Katie Ledecky, and Maddie Musselman … enjoys surfing, spending time with friends,
Played in all 26 games … tallied 17 goals (tied for eighth on the team) and 10 assists (eighth on the team) for a total of 27 points … drew seven exclusions (tied for ninth on the team), had five steals, and had four field blocks (tied for sixth on the team) … had a career-high three goals in a win vs. No. 14 UC Davis on Jan. 27 at the California Cup … notched a season-best five consecutive games with at least one goal scored, collecting at least one goal in 13-of-26 games played … had three multiple-goal games, including one hat trick.
2023
Played in 25-of-29 games … tallied 13 goals and eight assists (tied for 10th on the team) for a total of 21 points … also drew four exclusions (tied for eighth on the team), had seven steals, and four field blocks (tied for third on the team) … scored a season-high two goals three times on the season (in an 11-6 win at No. 19 UC Santa Barbara on Jan. 22, in a win over No. 22 San Diego State on Feb. 24, and in a win at No. 16 Arizona State on Apr. 28) … scored at least one goal in 10-of-25 games played … had three multiple-goal games … scored at least one goal in a season-best four consecutive games.
HIGH SCHOOL
Was a four-year letter winner in water polo and three years in swimming at Mater Dei High School … water polo honors include, 2022-Athlete of the Year at Mater Dei HS, First Team All-CIF-Southern Section, First Team All-County, Mater Dei HS Team MVP, First Team All-League; 2021-Second Team All CIF, Third Team All-County, First Team All League; 2020-Most Coachable Player Mater Dei HS; 2019-Most Inspirational Player Mater Dei HS) … has been part of the U.S. Development, Cadet, Youth, Junior, and Senior National Teams … played club with Vanguard Aquatics … earned Honorable Mention All-American honors at Vanguard … also named Most Improved Swimmer at Mater Dei HS, All-CIF in swimming and earned the Leadership Award at Mater Dei HS for swimming … was the salutatorian for the Mater Dei HS Class of 2022.
PERSONAL
Full name: Genoa Noreen Rossi … born in Berkeley, Calif … parents are Mark and Lisa Rossi … has two brothers, Maximo (20) and Santino (16) … brother, Maximo, is currently on the Men’s Water Polo team at UCLA … chose UCLA because of the outstanding water polo program, academics, and campus … describes her greatest athletic thrill as, "during the summer of 2022 when I competed with the USA Youth National Team in Serbia and became a World Champion. Seeing the excitement from all the hard work and dedication we put in to win this was the best feeling ever. I was so honored and grateful to be apart of such an amazing team and take home a gold medal.” … lists the U.S. Women’s Water Polo National Team along with Nick Bosa, Misty May Treanor, Draymond Green, and Stephen Curry as the athletes she most admires …
likes to play piano and beach volleyball in her spare time … has yet to declare a major.
CAREER STATISTICS
UCLA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
TAYLOR SMITH
5-10 / Junior Attacker
Newport Beach, Calif.
Newport Harbor HS
• ACWPC All-American (Third Team - 2024)
• All-MPSF (Second Team - 2024)
• MPSF All-Newcomer Team (2023)
• MPSF Player of the Week (Feb. 20, 2024)
• MPSF Newcomer of the Week (Jan. 24, 2023, April 18, 2023)
• ACWPC All-Academic (Excellent - 2023)
• MPSF All-Academic Team (2024)
• 4-time UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2023)
2024
Played in all 26 games … had 35 goals (third on the team) and 18 assists (sixth on the team) … totaled 53 points on the season (ranked third on the team) … went 6-for-11 in sprints on the year … drew eight exclusions (ranked eighth on the team), had 15 steals (ranked fifth on the team), and recorded six field blocks (third on the team) … scored at least one goal in 18-of-26 games … notched a career-high five goals in a win vs. No. 7 Arizona State on Feb. 17 … collected a season-best four consecutive games with at least one goal scored twice on the season … had 11 multiple-goal games, including one five-goal game and three hat tricks.
2023
Played in all 29 games … tallied 30 goals (seventh on the team) and 19 assists (fourth on the team) for a total of 49 points (fifth on the team) … also drew three exclusions, had 24 steals (tied for the lead on the team), and two field blocks … went 1-5 on sprints on the year … scored a season-high and career-high four goals in the win vs. No. 21 San Diego State at the UCSB Winter Invitational (Jan. 21) … had eight multiple-goal games, including four hat tricks … scored at least one goal in four consecutive games twice on the season … scored at least one goal in 17-of-29 games played.
HIGH SCHOOL
Four-year letter winner in both swimming and water polo at Newport Harbor High School … for water polo, earned first-team All CIF-SS Division I in 2019 and 2020 … 2019 Orange County Dream Team … 2020 All-Orange County first team … Sunset League first-team honors in 2021 and 2020 … for swimming, named All-America in 2019 as part of the 4x400 and 4x200 free relays … 2021 Sunset League champion in the 100 free … played club with Newport Beach Water Polo … named to the 2021 Junior Olympic All-America first team and the 2020 SoCal Championships All-Tournament Team … member of the U.S. Youth National Team, traveling to Budapest, Hungary in 2019 and to Athens, Greece, in 2020 … member of the U.S. Junior training team.
PERSONAL
Full name: Taylor Cole Smith … born in Newport Beach, Calif. … parents are Trent and Kristin Smith … has two younger brothers, Trent Jr. and Troy … athlete she admires most is professional surfer Bethany Hamilton … enjoys surfing, boating, painting, and spending time at the beach … both brothers play water polo at Newport Harbor High
School … father, Trent, played water polo at USC … wants to go in to medicine … intends to major in biology.
CAREER STATISTICS
UCLA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
LAUREN STEELE
6-0 / Sophomore Goalkeeper
Old Greenwich, Conn. Orange Lutheran HS
• ACWPC National Player of the Year (2024)
• ACWPC All-American (First Team - 2024)
• Cutino Award Finalist (2024)
• All-MPSF (Second Team - 2024)
• MPSF Newcomer of the Year (2024)
• MPSF All-Newcomer Team (2024)
• NCAA Championship Most Valuable Player (2024)
• NCAA All-Tournament Team (First Team - 2024)
• MPSF Championship Most Valuable Player (2024)
• 3-time MPSF Player of the Week (Feb. 27, 2024, Apr. 2, 2024, Apr. 16, 2024)
• 4-time MPSF Newcomer of the Week (Jan. 23, 2024, Feb. 27, 2024, Apr. 16, 2024, Apr. 23, 2024)
• UCLA Student-Athlete of the Week (Apr. 16, 2024)
• ACWPC All-Academic Honors (Excellent - 2024)
• 2-time UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Winter 2024, Spring 2024)
2024
She played in all 26 games, making 26 starts while posting a 26-0 record on the year in the cage … registered 268 saves (12.95 per game), which the total ranks fourth all-time on UCLA's single-season charts and is a Bruin freshman record … she also had 39 steals (led the team) and eight assists … also scored seven goals on 27 shots (.259) … she scored a season-high two goals twice, in a win at No. 12 UC Santa Barbara at the UCSB Winter Invitational (Jan. 21) and in a 15-8 win over No. 3 Stanford (Mar. 30) … had a goals against average of 6.72 on the year (139 goals allowed in 82.771 quarters played) … collected a season-high 21 saves in a win at No. 10 UC Irvine (Feb. 24) at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational … it marked the most saves by a Bruin goalkeeper since Caitlin Dement registered 22 stops in an 8-3 win over UC Davis on Feb. 21, 2010.
HIGH SCHOOL
Was a three-time letterwinner in water polo at Orange Lutheran High School … named CIF Southern Section Open Division Player of the Year and Trinity League Player of the Year in 2023 … played club at LAMO (Lamorinda Water Polo Club) … earned FirstTeam All-Junior Olympics honors in 2023 … helped lead U.S. Women’s Youth Team to a first-place finish at the 2022 FINA Youth World Championship as well as a gold medal at the 2022 Pan American U17 Championships … named OC Register’s 2023 Player of the Year.
PERSONAL
Full name: Lauren Jane Steele … born in Greenwich, Conn. … parents are John and Joanne Steele … has an older sister, Jacquie, and an older brother, John … her uncle, Thomas James Laughlin (ring name Tommy Dreamer), is a professional wrestler … lists her greatest athletic thrill as the comeback CIF Championship victory with Orange Lutheran HS in 2023 … decided to attend UCLA because of the “combination
of amazing academics and athletics” … hobbies include going to the beach, surfing, hanging out with friends and any outdoor or sports activity … lists Alex Morgan, the late Kobe Bryant, and Serena Williams as athletes she admires … major is undeclared with a career objective in business.
• 2-time Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll (2023, 2024)
• 2-time MPSF All-Academic Team (2023, 2024)
• 8-time UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Fall 2021, Winter 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Winter 2023, Spring 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024)
2024
Played in all 26 games … had 14 goals and two assists for a total of 16 points on the season … drew 22 exclusions (second on the team), had three steals, and one field block … scored a season-high two goals six times on the season (in a win over No. 25 Marist on Jan. 20 at the UCSB Winter Invitational, in a win vs. California Baptist University on Feb. 2 at the UCSD Triton Invitational, in a win vs. Cal State Fullerton on Feb. 23 at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, in a win vs. No. 4 Stanford on Feb. 24 at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, in a win vs. Biola on March 9, and in a win vs. No. 17 Wagner on May 10 at the MPSF Championship) … scored at least one goal in 8-of-26 games. 2023
Played in all 29 games … tallied four goals and one assist for a total of five points … also had five steals, two field blocks, and drew 13 exclusions (tied for sixth on the team) … scored a season-high one goal four times on the season (in a win over No. 15 Wagner on Jan. 21, in a win vs. No. 24 CSUN on Feb. 5, in a loss vs. No. 2 USC on Feb. 5, and in a win against No. 22 San Diego State on Feb. 24).
2022
Was ninth on the team in scoring with 32 points … totaled 29 goals (7th on the team) and three assists … also had 11 steals (9th on the team), two field blocks, and 37 exclusions drawn (2nd on the team) … scored a season-high three goals three times (in a win over No. 9 UC San Diego on Jan. 23, in a win over Santa Clara on Feb. 12, and in a win over No. 11 UC San Diego on Feb. 25) … scored at least one goal in a season-best four consecutive games two times on the year (which included four straight games with multiple goals to open the season) on the year … scored at least one goal in 16-of-28 games and dished out at least one assist in 2-of-28 games on the season … had 10 multiple-goal games including the three hat tricks.
HIGH SCHOOL
Earned four varsity letters at Laguna Beach High School as a utility player … in 2021 as a senior, was the Orange County Register’s Orange County Player of the Year … named the Sunset/Surf League co-MVP as LBHS team captain … senior season was shortened because of COVID-19 … as a junior in 2020, team won the CIF-SS Division 1 Championship … named the CIF SS Division 1 Player of the Year … Sunset/Surf League MVP … First-Team OC Register All-Orange County … SoCal Championships Tournament MVP … team captain and MVP … drew 61 exclusions in 2020, a LBHS team record … 2019 as a sophomore, team won the CIF-SS Division 1 Championship
… First-Team All-CIF SS Division 1 … First-Team Daily Pilot Dream Team … LBHS team MVP … named Second Team All-CIF-SS Division as a freshman in 2018 … played club with SET and Laguna Beach Water Polo … Academic All-American 2019-21.
PERSONAL
Full name: Nicole Lee Struss … born in Newport Beach, Calif. … parents are Kevin and Michelle Struss … has one older sister, Lauren … says she chose UCLA because, "I am in awe of the culture that the existing players and coaches have created. The team is made up of strong individual women who will push me to be a better person in and out of the pool. I also want to be somewhere where I will both be able to compete for an NCAA Championship and study at one of the top Universities in the country." … lists Kevin Durant and the late Kobe Bryant as the athletes she admires most … enjoys snorkeling, hiking, surfing, paddle boarding, wakeboarding, and going to the beach … lists her greatest athletic thrill as wining the 2019 CIF-SS Division I title in triple overtime … major is communications.
CAREER STATISTICS
HIGH SCHOOL
TALI
STRYKER
5-9 / Freshman Attacker
Lafayette, Calif. Miramonte HS
Tali Stryker was a four-time letterwinner in swimming and water polo at Miramonte High School … named First-Team NISCA All-America (2023-24) and Third-Team NISCA All-America in (2022-23) in water polo …named First-Team All-Diablo twice in water polo (junior and senior years) and her sophomore year in swimming … received AllDiablo CO-MVP honors in 2024 … Second-Team All-Diablo selection for water polo during the 2021-22 seasons and in swimming during the 2023-24 seasons … played club for Lamorinda Water Polo Club … member of the 2022 USAWP ODP Women’s Cadet National Team.
PERSONAL
Full name: Natalie Ann Stryker, prefers Tali … born in Oakland, Calif. … parents are William and Candice Stryker … has two older brothers, Maxwell and William … decided to attend UCLA because of the team culture and academics … lists Maddie Musselman, Stephen Curry, and Sabrina Ionescu as athletes she admires most … brother, Maxwell, played water polo at UC Davis, and brother, William is a current member of the UC Davis team … her father, William, and her uncle, Russell Stryker, played water polo at California … hobbies and interests include surfing, dogs, and playing beach volleyball … major is sociology with a career objective in medical device sales.
HIGH SCHOOL
MAILE TURNER
5-10 / Freshman Utility
Danville, Calif.
Monte
Vista HS
Maile Turner was a four-year letterwinner in water polo and swimming at Monte Vista High School … was a two-time NISCA All-American (2023-24) … also named East Bay Athletic League Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024 … selected to the AllEast Bay Athletic League First Team twice (2023-24) … played club at Diablo Alliance.
PERSONAL
Full name: Maile Ann Turner … born in Walnut Creek, Calif. … parents are Danielle and Scott Turner, who both attended UCLA … has two older sisters, Makenna and Reese … father, Scott, was an All-American while playing water polo at UCLA … sister, Makenna, swam at USC … decided to attend UCLA because “It was my dream school since I was 12-years-old. The culture and environment of the school made it an easy decision.” … hobbies and interests include hiking, going to the beach, and playing with dogs … lists Maggie Steffens as the athlete she admires the most … cousin, Parker Watson, also attended UCLA … major is psychology with career aspirations in therapy.
UCLA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
ELEKTRA URBATSCH
6-0 / Sophomore Attacker
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Poly Prep Country Day School
• 3-time UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll (Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024)
2024
Played in 2-of-26 games … scored one goal (on three shots, .333) and added three assists for a total of four total points … also had three steals, two field blocks, and drew one exclusion … scored her only goal of the year in a win at No. 10 UC Irvine (Feb. 24) at Barbara Kalbus Invitational.
HIGH SCHOOL
Was a three-year letterwinner in volleyball (middle blocker), a four-year letterwinner in swimming (50m and 100m freestyle) and a varsity letterwinner in track and field (100m dash, 100m hurdles, javelin) at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, N.Y. … was a First-Team All-Ivy Prep League selection in volleyball as the Blue Devils won the NYSAIS (State Championship) and Ivy Prep League Championship in 2021 and 2022 … a swimmer since the age of four, she set school records in the 50 meter and 100 meter freestyle and also competed in the 200 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay … Poly Prep didn't offer water polo, but she has enjoyed an international competitive prep career playing club for NYAC where she earned USA Junior Olympic All-America honors, participating with Team USA's Development, Cadet, and Youth National Teams … she trained in Greece in 2022 and represented the United States in Australia.
PERSONAL
Full name: Elektra Urbatsch … born in New York, N.Y. … parents are Steve Urbatsch and Nadia Georgiou … has an older brother, Elios … decided to attend UCLA because,
“It has been my dream school since I was little. I have always been drawn to the quality of play and how close the team is.” … lists Aaron Judge as the athlete she admires most … major is business economics.
CAREER STATISTICS
HIGH SCHOOL
JOJO WALTERS
5-4 / Freshman
Attacker
Dallas, Texas
Southlake Carroll HS
Jojo Walters was a four-time letterwinner in water polo and swimming at Southlake Carroll High School … named the 2023 Texas Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association State, Region, and District MVP in 2024 … played club at North Texas Thunder Water Polo Club… helped lead her team to a fourth-place finish at the 2023 Junior Olympics and a first-place finish at the 2024 Junior Olympics.
PERSONAL
Full name: Jacqueline Cohen Walters, prefers Jojo … born in Santa Monica, Calif. … parents are Scott and Kristi Walters … has a twin sister, Avery, and a younger sister, Quincy … decided to attend UCLA because “It was my biggest dream growing up and a place I can excel academically and athletically.” … lists Caitlin Clark and Tony Azevedo as athletes she admires most … twin sister, Avery, is a gymnast at Brown University … cousin, George Vlahos, plays lacrosse at the U.S. Naval Academy … younger sister, Quincy, is a gymnast at California … hobbies and interests include spending time with friends and family, playing with dogs, traveling, and playing Wordle … both of her parents attended UCLA … major is business economics with career aspirations in business consulting.
(2023) Best Won-Loss Percentage (season) 1.000 in 2005 and 2008 (33-0), and 2024 (26-0) Worst Won-Lost Percentage (season) .542 (1995, 13-11)
Shutouts (season) 3 (1998)
Winning Streak 33 matches, twice (2005 and 2008)
(2007-2009)
Cal
Kelly Rulon is the Bruins’ all-time leading scorer ( 237 goals) and holds the single-season steals record.
Nicolle Payne holds both the season and career records for goals against average.
UCLA’S FORMER HEAD COACHES
Guy Baker
Guy Baker led the UCLA men’s and women’s water polo programs to seven national titles in a 10-year span. He left the water polo programs in January 2001 to become head coach of the U.S. Women’s Water Polo National Team, a position he held through the spring of 2009.
Baker established UCLA as the dominant men's program of the 1990s with four men's NCAA championships (1995, 1996, 1999, 2000) and three national collegiate women’s titles (1996, 1997, 1998). He earned National Coach of the Year honors four times (1995-96 men, 1997-98 women) and coached the Women’s National Team at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.
Baker led the 2006-07 Women's National Team to gold medals at the 2007 World Championships, the 2007 World League Super Final and the 2007 Pan-American Games, where the team secured its qualifying spot for the 2008 Olympic games. Baker’s combined record at UCLA was 265-97 overall and 64-28 in league games.
Three of his athletes were each named National Player of the Year twice – Coralie Simmons, Sean Kern, and Matt Swanson. In all, Bruin athletes secured All-America honors 52 times and eight players competed in the Olympics under Baker.
Adam Krikorian
Adam Krikorian served as head coach of the men’s water polo team from 1999-2008 and as head coach of the women’s program from 1999-2009. Krikorian now serves as the head coach of the U.S.Women’s Water Polo National Team. He guided Team USA to its first-ever Olympic gold medal in women’s water polo in 2012 in London and followed that with another gold in 2016 in Rio.
As head coach of both UCLA water polo programs, he helped lead the Bruins to 11 national championships (three men’s, eight women’s). He coached the men’s water polo team to NCAA titles in 1999, 2000 and 2004. As head coach of the women’s program, Krikorian guided UCLA to the 2000 National Collegiate Championship and NCAA titles in 2001 and 2003 before reeling off five consecutive NCAA championships (2005-09).
Between the two UCLA water polo programs, Krikorian coached six Peter J. Cutino Award recipients, seven National Player of the Year selections and 12 Olympians. He led the UCLA men’s and women’s teams to national championships in the same academic year on three occasions (1999-00, 2000-01 and 2004-05).
Krikorian assumed head coaching duties of the U.S. Women’s Water Polo National Team following the 2009 collegiate spring season and helped guide Team USA to the gold medal at the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome.
Krikorian was a four-year water polo letterwinner at UCLA (1992-95), helping lead the men’s program to the 1995 NCAA Championship at the conclusion of his senior season (the program’s first national title since 1972).
Brandon Brooks
Brandon Brooks served as head coach of the women's water polo team from 2010-2017. During his head coaching tenure, Brooks led UCLA to four MPSF Championships and three runner-up finishes at the NCAA Championships.
He compiled an overall coaching record of 202-41 and was named the 2012, 2015 and 2017 MPSF Coach of the Year. As an assistant coach for both the UCLA men’s and women’s teams from 2006-09, Brooks helped lead the Bruin women to three NCAA Championships. He also served as the undergraduate assistant coach when the men’s team won the 2004 NCAA title.
As a student-athlete at UCLA, Brooks was a four-time All-American goalkeeper and led the Bruins to back-to-back NCAA championships in 1999 and 2000. He also excelled internationally with the USA Men’s National Team as a two-time Olympian and 2008 Olympic silver medal winner.
The 2007 team won UCLA’s 100th NCAA team championship.
Katie Rulon
Jaime Hipp
Jenny Lamb
Coralie Simmons^
Elaine Zivich
Robin Beauregard
Natalie Golda
Jaime Hipp
Thalia Munro
Amber Stachowski
Robin Beauregard^
Maureen Flanagan
Natalie Golda
Jaime Hipp
Jessica Lopez
Kelly Rulon
Emily Feher
Natalie Golda^
Thalia Munro
Kelly Rulon
Emily Feher
Kacy Kunkel
Thalia Munro
Kelly Rulon^
Emily Feher
Jillian Kraus
Kacy Kunkel
Courtney Mathewson
Kelly Rulon^
Anne Belden
Brittany Fullen
Tanya Gandy^
Jillian Kraus
Courtney Mathewson
Brittany Rowe
Anne Belden
Brittany Fullen
Tanya Gandy^
Katie Rulon
KK Clark
KK Clark
Kelly Easterday
Priscilla Orozco
KK Clark
Emily Greenwood
Sarah Orozco
Rachel Fattal
Becca Dorst
Rachel Fattal
2015
2016
Sami Hill
Emily Donohoe
Rachel Fattal
Sami Hill
Mackenzie Barr
2017 Rachel Fattal
Kodi Hill
Carlee Kapana
Maddie Musselman
Alys Williams
2018
2019
Devin Grab
Bronte Halligan
Maddie Musselman
Maddie Musselman
Bronte Halligan
2021 Ava Johnson (1st)
Brooke Maxson (1st)
Val Ayala (2nd)
Jahmea Bent (2nd)
2022 Maddie Musselman (1st)
2023
2024
Kelly Rulon^
Ava Johnson (1st)
Katrina Drake (2nd)
Lauren Steele (1st)^
Hannah Palmer (1st)
Anna Pearson (1st)
Tournaments from 1995-2000 were not NCAA affiliated
MPSF All-Tournament
2001 Robin Beauregard (1st)
Coralie Simmons (1st)
Jaime Hipp (2nd)
2002 Robin Beauregard (1st)
Amber Stachowski (1st)
Kelly Heuchan (1st)
Natalie Golda (2nd)
Jaime Hipp (2nd)
Thalia Munro (2nd)
2003
2004
Robin Beauregard
Natalie Golda
Kristina Kunkel 2005
Emily Feher
Natalie Golda^
Kelly Rulon
2006 Kelly Rulon
2007
Emily Feher
Kacy Kunkel
MPSF
Rachel Fattal
Nicolle Payne
1995
San Diego State 7, UCLA 4
Slippery Rock 9, UCLA 7
UCLA 14, Harvard 1
UCLA 9, Maryland 2
UCLA 7, Michigan 6 (3OT)
1996 (1st)
UCLA 13, Maryland 1
UCLA 9, UC Santa Barbara 1
UCLA 8, Stanford 1
UCLA 12, San Diego State 6
UCLA 8, California 4
1997 (1st)
UCLA 9, UC San Diego 1
UCLA 10, Maryland 0
UCLA 10, San Diego State 3
UCLA 6, California 3
1998 (1st)
UCLA 15, Maryland 1
UCLA 11, UC Santa Barbara 5
UCLA 10, Hawai’i 3
UCLA 7, California 3
1999 (3rd)
UCLA 12, Maryland 2
UCLA 7, Hawai’i 1
USC 5, UCLA 4
UCLA 6, California 5 (SV-OT)
2000 (1st)
UCLA 15, Michigan 2
UCLA 15, UC Davis 2
UCLA 5, California 3
UCLA 11, USC 4
2001 (1st)
UCLA 11, Loyola Marymount 1
UCLA 5, Stanford 4
2002 (2nd)
UCLA 12, Loyola Marymount 2
Stanford 8, UCLA 4
2003 (1st)
UCLA 8, Loyola Marymount 2
UCLA 4, Stanford 3
ALL-TIME
2005 (1st)
UCLA 22, Wagner 2
UCLA 7, Hawai’i 6
UCLA 3, Stanford 2
2006 (1st)
UCLA 15, Hartwick 2
UCLA 8, Stanford 5
UCLA 9, USC 8
2007 (1st)
UCLA 22, Pomona-Pitzer 0
UCLA 7, USC 6
UCLA 5, Stanford 4
2008 (1st)
UCLA 19, Pomona-Pitzer 6
UCLA 11, UC Davis 4
UCLA 6, USC 3
2009 (1st)
UCLA 13, Michigan 6
UCLA 12, Stanford 11
UCLA 5, USC 4
2010 (5th)
Loyola Marymount 5, UCLA 4
UCLA 14, Marist 3
UCLA 9, Michigan 6
2011 (3rd)
UCLA 8, Indiana 5
California 7, UCLA 4
UCLA 6, USC 5
2012 (3rd)
UCLA 14, Iona 3
USC 12, UCLA 10
UCLA 10, UC Irvine 9
2013 (3rd)
UCLA 8, Princeton 6
Stanford 5, UCLA 3
UCLA 13, Hawai’i 8
2014 (2nd)
UCLA 12, UC San Diego 6
UCLA 5, USC 3
Stanford 9, UCLA 5
NCAA TOURNAMENT RESULTS
2015 (2nd)
UCLA 9, UC San Diego 2
UCLA 5, California 5
Stanford 7, UCLA 6
2016 (3rd)
UCLA 17, UC San Diego 4
Stanford 7, UCLA 4
UCLA 5, Michigan 4
2017 (2nd)
UCLA 17, Wagner 2
UCLA 14, California 11
Stanford 8, UCLA 7
2018 (3rd)
UCLA 8, Pacific 4
USC 10, UCLA 6
2019 (3rd)
UCLA 13, Michigan 7
Stanford 8, UCLA 7 (2OT)
2021 (2nd)
UCLA 12, Hawai’i 7
UCLA 9, Stanford 7
USC 18, UCLA 9
2022 (3rd)
UCLA 8, UC Irvine 7
Stanford 10, UCLA 7
2023 (3rd)
UCLA 14, UC Irvine 12
Stanford 14, UCLA 9
2024 (1st)
UCLA 17, Wagner 7
UCLA 10, Stanford 11
UCLA 7, California 4
The Bruins captured the National Collegiate Championship in 1996.
1996
In only the second year of existence, UCLA women’s water polo captured the National Collegiate Championship, making Bruin water polo the first water polo program to win national titles in both men’s and women’s competition. Under the guidance of head coach Guy Baker, the Bruins lost only one game during the 1996 campaign, an 8-7 heartbreaker to California in the championship game of the Western Regional Qualification Tournament. But the Bruins turned the tables on the Golden Bears in the season’s final match and handed Cal an 8-4 defeat for the national title. Goals were scored by Jennifer McFerrin (3), Catharine von Schwarz (2), Megan Oesting, Coralie Simmons, and Katie Tenenbaum. Goalkeeper Nicolle Payne stopped 15 of Cal’s shots on goal.
1997
The Bruins brought home their second consecutive national championship and gave head coach Guy Baker four titles in a row (men’s 1995, women’s 1996, men’s 1996, women’s 1997). UCLA lost just one game during the year, a 4-3 heartbreaker at the hands of California in the third game of the season. The Bruins stormed through the rest of the spring, logging a 29-game win streak. UCLA captured its second title in a row with a 6-3 victory over California. The title did not come easily, as the Bruins held on to a shaky 3-2 lead heading into the final quarter of play. But UCLA outscored Cal, 3-1, in the final seven minutes, ensuring the national championship. Payne saved 11 attempts and earned her second consecutive Most Valuable Tournament Goalkeeper award. Goals were netted by Amanda Gall (2), Coralie Simmons (2), Serela Mansur, and Katie Tenenbaum.
1998
In their fourth year of varsity status, the Bruins took home a third consecutive national title under head coach Guy Baker. UCLA lost only one game the entire season to top-ranked Cal in the first place match of the Santa Barbara Tournament. But the defeat would not go unanswered, as the Bruins would defeat the Golden Bears 7-3 in the national championship match. While Cal was held scoreless for two quarters, the Bruins came on strong, notching at least one goal in every quarter. In Payne’s last match as a Bruin, the goalkeeper recorded 13 saves and was named Tournament MVP. Goals were scored by Coralie Simmons (3), Robin Beauregard, Amanda Gall, Erin Golaboski, and Catharine von Schwarz.
2000
The 2000 season brought the Bruins back to championship status after a one-year hiatus in 1999. Sparked by the return
of Catharine von Schwarz from the U.S. National Team, the Bruins finished 30-5 (8-1 MPSF) and won their fourth national championship in five years. The championship was the first under new head coach Adam Krikorian, who took over full-time after the 1998 season. In the title game of the 2000 Collegiate Nationals, UCLA downed defending champion USC, 11-4. The Bruins jumped out to a 3-1 first quarter lead and never looked back. Catharine von Schwarz netted a hat trick and became the first UCLA female student-athlete to win four team championships. Elaine Zivich added a goal and was named Tournament MVP. Goals were also scored by Kelly Heuchan (2), Serela Kay, Jenny Lamb, Jessica Lopez, Eleanor Murphy and Ashley Stachowski. Goalkeeper Jaime Hipp grabbed 10 saves to secure the victory for the Bruins.
2001
The Bruins captured the inaugural NCAA women’s water polo title in 2001. Seniors Coralie Simmons and Kristin Guerin led the Bruins to their fourth title in five years. Throughout the season, UCLA dominated opponents, posting an 18-4 overall record and going 9-1 in MPSF action. The Stanford Cardinal proved to be the toughest challenge for the Bruins, handing them each of the four losses, including an 8-5 loss in the MPSF Championship game. UCLA rebounded from the loss at the MPSF Championships to defeat Loyola Marymount 11-1 in the NCAA semifinal match. In the title game, UCLA defeated
Stanford 5-4. The win came off of a Coralie Simmons goal with 1:28 remaining in the game. Goals were scored by Simmons (2), Robin Beauregard, Kelly Heuchan, and Ashley Stachowski. Jaime Hipp recorded six saves. For her efforts, Simmons received MVP honors and was joined on the All-Tournament team by Beauregard, Heuchan, Hipp, Kristin Guerin, Jenny Lamb, and Elaine Zivich.
2003
The Bruins continued their championship tradition by taking the 2003 NCAA Championship. All-Americans Robin Beauregard and Jamie Hipp provided veteran leadership as head coach Adam Krikorian won his third national championship. UCLA posted an overall record of 23-4, including an 8-2 MPSF mark. Ranked No. 1 nationally entering the MPSF Tournament, the Bruins picked up a No. 3 seed due to losses to Stanford and USC. The Bruins easily dispatched Hawaii before narrowly defeating USC, 7-6, in sudden-victory overtime. In the MPSF title match, UCLA fell to Stanford. The Bruins earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, where they defeated Loyola Marymount in the semifinals. UCLA advanced to the championship game against Stanford for the third consecutive time. The Bruins fell behind 2-0 at halftime, but stormed back with four straight goals to win the match, 4-3, and capture the title. Goals were scored by Jessica Lopez, Kelly Rulon, Lauren Heineck, and Robin Beauregard, and Jaime Hipp finished with six saves. Senior Robin Beauregard was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Touranment.
2005
UCLA’s 2005 squad enjoyed what was considered by many at the time to be the greatest season in collegiate women’s water polo history. Led by Cutino Award winner Natalie Golda, the Bruins posted a perfect 33-0 mark to win the NCAA Championship. UCLA’s 33-0 record marked the best NCAA finish and longest single-season winning streak. The team outscored its opponents 394-134, and 121 -31 in the first quarter. Few teams held their ground against UCLA in the first quarter, much less the entire game. This championship team started three Olympians – Natalie Golda, Kelly Rulon, and Thalia Munro. The Bruins entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed at the University of Michigan’s Canham Natatorium. After defeating Wagner in their first match, the Bruins downed Hawai’i, 7-6, in the semifinals. Kristina Kunkel scored the winning goal with 1:43 left in the fourth quarter. UCLA concluded its remarkable season by winning the 2005 NCAA Championship, defeating third-seeded Stanford, 3-2. UCLA led the entire way against the Cardinal, as Brittany Rowe led the Bruins with two goals in that game.
The first NCAA women’s water polo title went to UCLA in 2001.
The 1998 Bruins went 35-1 en route to the program’s third-straight national title.
2006
The 2006 Bruins returned nearly every player aside from Natalie Golda, the 2005 Cutino Award winner who helped lead UCLA to a 33-0 record in 2005. The Bruins had the talent, experience, and determination necessary to win their second consecutive NCAA title, their fourth in the last six seasons. While not nearly as dominant as the 2005 version, the 2006 women’s water polo team outscored its opponents by a 369-134 margin. UCLA allowed just 4.1 goals per game, the best average in the nation. The Bruins finished their 2006 campaign with a 29-4 overall record and an 11-1 MPSF mark. UCLA earned the No. 3 seed entering the NCAA Tournament at UC Davis. In game one, UCLA dispatched No. 6 seed Hartwick College, 15-2. Then next day, goalkeeper Emily Feher made nine saves in the cage and Kelly Rulon added three goals to lead UCLA past Stanford, 8-5, in both teams’ fourth meeting of the spring. UCLA concluded its stellar season in the most exciting fashion. Sophomore Courtney Mathewson’s last-second five-meter shot found the back of the cage, handing UCLA a 9-8 victory over USC and their second NCAA title in as many seasons.
2007
UCLA’s 2007 squad will be most remembered as the team that won UCLA’s 100th NCAA team championship. The women’s water polo team initiated the “race” to 100 when the Bruins captured the 2006 NCAA title. Equally impressive, the Bruins’ 2007 title marked the program’s third consecutive NCAA championship. Led by seniors Molly Cahill, Emily Feher, Kacy Kunkel and Kelly Rulon, the 2007 team had little trouble taking care of business. UCLA suffered two regular-season losses to Stanford, but defeated the Cardinal when it mattered most. The Bruins downed Long Beach State on the first day of the MPSF Tournament before edging USC, 10-9, in the semifinals. UCLA punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament with a 9-3 rout of Stanford. After a 22-0 victory over Pomona-Pitzer in round one, the Bruins defeated USC, 7-6, to set up a pivotal rematch with Stanford in the NCAA Championship. UCLA built a 4-1 lead after three quarters and held off a furious Stanford rally to win, 5-4. Along the way in 2007, senior Kelly Rulon broke the UCLA career scoring record, totaling 237 goals.
2008
For the second time in four years, the UCLA women’s water polo team posted a perfect 33-0 record en route to capturing the NCAA championship. Duplicating the Bruins’ perfect record from 2005, UCLA secured the 2008 NCAA title with a 6-3
The 2008 NCAA champions posted the second undefeated season in program history, going 33-0.
victory over crosstown rival USC. Seniors Kamaile Crowell, Gabrielle Domanic, Jillian Krauss, Courtney Mathewson and Brittany Rowe became the first female student-athletes in school history to capture four NCAA titles in four seasons. Kraus and Mathewson earned Co-MPSF Player of the Year honors by season’s end, and Mathewson was the recipient of the Peter J. Cutino Award, the sport’s most prestigious honor bestowed upon the top male and female player. In his 10th season at the helm, head coach Adam Krikorian earned ACWPC Coach of the Year accolades for the fourth consecutive season, and Mathewson captured ACWPC Player of the Year honors. Aside from the leadership of UCLA’s five seniors, the Bruins received substantial contributions from juniors Brittany Fullen, Anne Belden, Katie Rulon and Tanya Gandy. Fullen finished her junior campaign having started as the goalkeeper in all 33 matches and totaled a school single-season record 237 saves.
2009
UCLA won its fifth consecutive NCAA title in 2009, downing rival USC 5-4 in the title match, but did not score any goals in the second half. Playing lockdown defense against a USC squad that had beaten them twice, the Bruins prevailed behind the stellar play of senior goalkeeper Brittany Fullen (12 saves).
One day earlier, the Bruins won an equally thrilling contest, using a last-second goal from sophomore Megan Burmeister to edge Stanford,12-11. UCLA entered the 2009 campaign riding a 41-game win streak before losing six games during the year. In his final season as head coach, Adam Krikorian made sure the Bruins peaked at the right time. Senior Tanya Gandy was named the NCAA Division I Player of the Year after shattering UCLA’s single-season scoring record with 79 goals. Fellow seniors Anne Belden, Katie Rulon and Fullen were named All-NCAA Tournament Team selections in addition to earning Second-Team All-America honors.
UCLA women’s water polo posted its fifth-straight NCAA title in 2009.
2024
No. 1 UCLA (26-0) captured its eighth NCAA Championship and its 12th National Championship in program history with a 7-4 win at No. 3 California (19-7) on Sunday evening at Spieker Aquatics Complex in Berkeley, Calif. With the win, UCLA improved to 65-14 all-time against the Golden Bears.
UCLA completed just the third undefeated season in program history, joining the 2005 (33-0) and 2008 (330) teams. Just five squads ever have now had perfect runs to NCAA Championships, with USC doing it twice (2004 and 2016).
The Bruins registered the 123rd NCAA title in UCLA athletic department history. UCLA women's water polo has won 12 national championships in all, with four predating the first NCAA one. Head coach Adam Wright, who has guided the UCLA men's water polo program to four NCAA titles, did so for the first time at the helm of the women's team.
"From our end, this means so much on so many different levels," said Wright, who completed his seventh season as the UCLA women's water polo head coach. "It's taken a long time, but UCLA women's water polo is back on the map. What this is going to do for our program for years to come, it's simply incredible. For our women that are here right now, the confidence goes out the roof. People want to be a part of this now. It's been a long time coming, but it feels so good to see UCLA back on top, because that is what I was used to when I was in school at UCLA. I'm just lucky to be a part of it."
Freshmen starred for UCLA on Sunday evening, with Panni Szegedi scoring three goals. Fellow first-year standout Lauren Steele got the start in the cage and went the distance, recording 17 saves while allowing four goals.Also scoring for the Bruins were freshman Natasha Kieckhafer, senior Anneliese Miller and sophomores Anna Pearson, Genoa Rossi and Taylor Smith.
The Golden Bears struck first (2:36) for the first goal of the game, but the Bruins tied it up with 0:15 left to
end the scoring in the period with a strike from the front court by Miller.
The Bruins took their first lead of the game on a front court score from Kieckhafer (4:59) off a feed from Pearson to make it 2-1. California's Rozanne Voorvelt scored from the front court (3:31) to end the scoring in the second period with the game tied at the break, 2-2.
Rossi put the Bruins up 3-2 when she scored off a feed from senior Malia Allen (7:34). Cal's Maddie DeMattia would tie the game at 3-3 (2:56) with a one-timer on a power play. Szegedi would put the Bruins back in front, 4-3, with a nearside skipper (0:43).
The first multi-goal lead of the game came when Szegedi made the most of a six-on-five chance (5:07). The lead was extended once more with an extra player in the pool, as Smith got on the board to double up the Golden Bears (2:04). DeMattia cut into the deficit momentarily with her second (0:32), but Szegedi completed her hat trick
seconds later with Cal's goal left untended.
No. 1 UCLA at No. 3 California (NCAA Championship - Game 26)
6x5 - UCLA – 2/7 - CAL – 2/4
Penalties - UCLA - 0/0 - CAL - 0/0
UCLA Goals: Panni Szegedi 3,Anneliese Miller 1, Natasha Kieckhafer 1, Genoa Rossi 1, Taylor Smith 1
The 2024 NCAA champions posted the third undefeated season in program history, going 26-0.
UCLA women’s water polo ended a 15-year drought with the NCAA Championship in 2024.
USA Women’s Water Polo, guided by head coach Adam Krikorian (‘97), saw its run of three-straight Olympic gold medals come to an end in Paris at the 2024 Olympic Games. The Bruins were also represented by Molly Cahill (Assistant Coach), Rachel Fattal, Maddie Musselman, and Tara Prentice.
But UCLA didn't go without a medal from women's water polo in 2024 as Bronte Halligan and current student-athlete Sienna Green won a silver medal with Australia.
In 2021 (for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics), Team USA won its thirdstraight gold medal for the first time in history, beating Spain in the final, 14-5. UCLA's Maddie Musselman and Rachel Fattal captured their second career gold medals, while Alys Williams earned her first. Musselman, the tournament MVP, tied with Maggie Steffens for the team lead in scoring with 18 goals in the tournament, which ranked tied for second among all scorers.
Team USA romped to a 12-5 win over Italy in the 2016 Rio Games for its fifth consecutive Olympic medal in women’s water polo.
Krikorian assumed head coaching responsibilities of the U.S. Women’s Water Polo National Team in the summer of 2009 after winning his fifth consecutive NCAA Championship at the helm of the UCLA women’s program. In his 17 years with the Bruins’ water polo programs as both a player and a coach, Krikorian won an unprecedented 15 national titles - 11 as a head coach, three as an assistant coach and one as a student-athlete.
Team USA has long been a power in women’s water polo, but the Americans had never translated their success at other major competitions to the Olympics, claiming bronze in 2004 and silver in 2000 and 2008. Like in Beijing, the U.S. women were ranked No. 1 and were gold medal favorites. But this time, they would not be denied what had long eluded them.
Maggie Steffens scored five goals on the day capping a binge of seven-straight goals for the U.S. that turned a 2-1 deficit with 6:44 left in the second period into an 8-2 lead with 7:20 remaining in the fourth quarter. Spain scored the final three goals of the match, but the Americans had built an insurmountable lead.
The U.S. was 8-for-17 on shots (compared to Spain’s 5-for-28 performance) and dominated the game despite losing out on time of possession, 16:58 to 15:02. U.S. goalkeeper, Betsey Armstrong, finished with eight saves, including a huge stop on a penalty shot in the fourth period.
Mathewson recorded one shot in seven minutes of action against Spain. Rulon played 15 minutes, winning one sprint for Team USA. Mathewson, a former Cutino Award winner (2008), won four
Bruin Olympians
Name Country (Yr.)
Guy Baker^ USA (2000#, 2004@, 2008#)
Robin Beauregard USA (2000#, 2004@)
KK Clark USA (2016*)
Rachel Fattal USA (2016*, 2020*, 2024)
Natalie Golda USA (2004@, 2008#)
Sienna Green Australia (2024#)
Bronte Halligan Australia (2020, 2024#)
Kellly Heuchan Australia (2004@)
Sami Hill USA (2016*)
Jaime Hipp USA (2008)
Adam Krikorian^ USA (2012*, 2016*, 2020*, 2024)
Courtney Mathewson USA (2012*, 2016*)
Thalia Munro USA (2004@)
Maddie Musselman USA (2016*, 2020*, 2024)
Nicolle Payne USA (2000#, 2004@)
Kelly Rulon USA (2004@, 2012*)
Coralie Simmons USA (2000#)
Amber Stachowski USA (2004@)
Alys Williams USA (2020*)
^ Coach / * Gold medal / # Silver medal / @ Bronze medal
national titles at UCLA (2005-08) and made her first Olympic appearance in the 2012 London Olympics.
Rulon, the 2007 Cutino Award winner, also won four national championships at UCLA (2003, 2005-07) and was part of the bronze-medal winning team in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.
Under the tutelage of former UCLA men’s and women’s head water polo coach Guy Baker, the U.S. women’s water polo team earned a silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Aided by former UCLA standouts Natalie Golda and Jaime Hipp, the U.S. team earned its third medal since the sport’s Olympic inception in 2000.
In the gold medal match against Hungary, Team USA rallied from an early 4-0 deficit to tie the match, 5-5, before halftime. Golda scored one goal in the match, helping reduce the Americans’ deficit to 5-3. The U.S. team advanced to the gold medal match after sinking Australia, 9-8, to assure itself of finishing the Olympics with a medal.
The 2008 Games in Beijing marked the second Olympic appearance for Golda and the first for Hipp. Baker served as the U.S. women’s team’s head coach in the first three Olympiads of the 21st Century.
In 2004, seven players and Baker represented the UCLA women’s water polo program at the Olympics in Athens, Greece. Six former and current Bruins helped lead Team USA to the bronze medal, and one former Bruin (Kelly Heuchan) competed for Australia, which finished fourth.
Then-current Bruins Natalie Golda, Thalia Munro, Amber Stachowski, Kelly Rulon and Gabrielle Domanic (alternate) competed alongside Payne and Beauregard. Baker helped lead the U.S. team to its second medal in as many Olympics.
In the 2004 bronze medal contest, the U.S. team defeated host Australia by a 6-5 margin. UCLA’s athletes scored three of Team USA’s six goals in that contest – Beauregard, Golda and Stachowski each netted one goal.
The new millennium brought women’s water polo to the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. In a wild gold medal contest between Australia and Team USA, the Aussies scored a controversial last-second goal to win, 4-3. Bruins Coralie Simmons, Nicolle Payne, Beauregard, and Coach Baker helped lead Team USA on its quest for a gold medal. While competing at UCLA, both Simmons and Beauregard spent the year away from campus. Simmons led Team USA with nine goals in the Olympics, and Beauregard added six.
In 2012, Krikorian guided Team USA to its first-ever gold medal. Four-time NCAA champions Kelly Rulon and Courtney Mathewson were key players for the U.S. in London. Rulon’s medal was the second in her career, as she has previously won bronze in 2004.
Of the eight players to find the back of the net against Italy in the 2016 gold medal match, three were Bruins. Redshirt senior Rachel Fattal led the charge with two goals while former Bruin and two-time gold medalist Courtney Mathewson netted one in the opening minutes of play. In the fourth quarter, incoming freshman Maddie Musselman rocketed a penalty shot past the Italian keeper to give Team USA an 11-4 lead.
One of the team’s leading scorers, Musselman tallied 12 goals throughout the Olympic Games, including a game-high four goals against China in pool play. Overall, Mathewson notched seven for Team USA while Fattal scored four. Rounding out the Bruins’ scoring efforts, defender KK Clark put away two of her own. In the cage, Hill recorded six saves in three games. The U.S. finished the Rio Games with a goal differential of 41 after scoring 73 goals and allowing just 32 in six games played.
Since women’s water polo was added to Olympic program in 2000, the United States has only missed the podium once (Paris in 2024). It won silver in 2000 and 2008 and bronze in 2004 before capturing three-straight gold medals in London, Rio, and Tokyo.
The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games gold medalists from Team USA in women’s water polo included five Bruins (from left), Team USA Head Coach Adam Krikorian, Maddie Musselman (Olympic Games MVP), Rachel Fattal, Alys Williams, and staff member Christopher Lee.
Adam Krikorian in Rio in 2016.
The USA National Team program has a rich history of selecting UCLA players and coaches, who have helped Team USA to a number of gold medals all over the world.
USA Women’s Water Polo, guided by head coach Adam Krikorian (‘97), won its third-straight gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games (in 2021), beating Spain in the final, 14-5. UCLA's Maddie Musselman and Rachel Fattal captured their second career gold medals, while Alys Williams earned her first. Musselman, the tournament MVP, tied with Maggie Steffens for the team lead in scoring with 18 goals in the tournament, which ranked tied for second among all scorers.
Musselman also led Team USA to a 10-9 win over Italy on June 10 in the title game of the 2019 FINA World League Super Final. It was the Americans sixth straight title at the event, which qualified Team USA for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.
Musselman scored the eventual game-winning goal with a lob shot over the Italian keeper, for her second goal of the contest. She was named the MVP of the World League Super Final after scoring at least two goals in all six games for a total of 14 in the tournament. Team USA also featured Bruins Adam Krikorian (head coach), Chris Lee (staff), Rachel Fattal (attacker), and Alys Williams (defender).
The USA Women’s National Team won the 2018 FINA World Cup title for the third straight time, maintaining its hold on all major FINA championships, following an 8-5 win over Russia on Sept. 9, 2018. The World Cup gold joins titles in 1979, 2010 and 2014. Three Bruins were a part of the squad, which includes head coach Adam Krikorian (UCLA player from 1992-95) as well as attacker Rachel Fattal (UCLA player from 2013-15 and 2017) and defender Alys Williams (UCLA player from 2013-15 and 2017).
In the summer of 2017, the USA Water Polo Women’s Senior National Team successfully defended its title at the FINA World Championships, defeating Spain in the gold-medal game, 13-6. The win capped an unbeaten run through the schedule for the Americans, who were led by tournament MVP Maddie Musselman. The UCLA sophomore-to-be scored a team-high 16 goals over six contests. Bruins Rachel Fattal (2013-15, 2017) and Alys Williams (2013-15, 2017) also factored in prominently for the Adam Krikorian-led Team USA.
The FINA World Championships win marked yet another highlight in a busy summer for Team USA. Musselman and Williams were part of the roster that needed a shootout to overcome Greece and
claim the Kunshan Cup in China by a score of 11-8 (June 3). Just over a week and six games later and with Fattal added to the mix, the Americans claimed their fourth straight gold at the FINA World League Super Final with a 12-6 win over Canada in Shanghai. For good measure, USA began July by taking the Vodafone Cup with a 10-8 win over host Hungary in Miskolc.
In the summer of 2016, the USA Women’s Water Polo Senior National Team won its third consecutive gold medal at the FINA World League Super Final. The U.S. defeated Spain in the championship match, 13-9, in Beijing, China to capture its 10th overall WLSF title. UCLA alumna Courtney Mathewson (2005-08) was named Tournament MVP.
In the summer of 2015, the USA Senior National Team won gold at the FINA Intercontinental Tournament, the FINA World League Super Final, the Pan American Games, and the FINA World Championships. Rachel Fattal earned MVP honors at the latter event, scoring 18 goals en route to gold.
In the summer of 2014, the USA Senior National Team won three international events: the FINA World League Super Final, the Kinishi Cup and the FINA World Cup.
Bruins Sami Hill, Rachel Fattal, Alys Williams, KK Clark and Jillian Kraus scored a total of 17 goals in the tournament as the United States marched to the gold medal. Fattal led all Bruins with nine goals, including three against Italy in the championship match. Hill added seven saves in the final.
At the Kinishi Cup, Bruins scored 12 goals for the USA. Hill was a mainstay in the cage, making 14 saves against Italy and 11 vs. Hungary in group play, while Fattal scored five total goals to help lead the Americans to the championship. In addition to Hill and Fattal, UCLA was represented by Clark, Willaims, Kraus and Courtney Mathewson.
At the FINA World Cup, the USA won another gold medal on the backs of Hill, Fattal and Mathewson. Hill recorded 16 saves in the championship victory over Australia. Fattal (10 goals) and Mathewson (six goals) were major forces on offense for the Stars and Stripes. Clark, Williams and Kraus were also key players in the USA’s drive to an undefeated tournament.
In the summer of 2013, the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team won the gold medal at the FINA Junior World Championships in Greece by defeating Spain, 9-7. UCLA players participating were Fattal, Emily Donohoe, Kodi Hill and Williams. Fattal was named the MVP of the tournament after scoring 15 goals.
Later that summer, the Senior National Team placed fifth at the FINA World Championships in Spain. Players representing UCLA were Fattal, Mathewson, Kraus, Kelly Rulon and Clark.
In December 2013, Fattal, Sami Hill, Williams, Kraus, Clark, Mathewson and Priscilla Orozco beat Canada in a best-of-three series to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.
In 2009 UCLA players Brooke Martin and Natasha Schulman played for the 2009 USA Junior National Team and Sami Hill redshirted the 2012 season to train with the U.S. Senior National Team.
In the summer of 2007, former UCLA attacker Tanya Gandy and Team USA finished fourth at the FINA Women’s Junior World Championships in Porto, Portugal. Gandy scored 19 goals in seven games.
The Senior National Team won the Holiday Cup in December 2006. Bruins Natalie Golda, Jamie Hipp and Emily Feher competed in the Senior National Team event. Golda scored in every one of the six games for Team USA, while Hipp contributed 21 saves in the cage. Team USA had also won the 2006 FINA World Championships in Italy.
At the 2006 Pythia Cup in Greece, Gandy and Brittany Fullen, then a sophomore on the Bruins’ roster, competed for the U.S. Junior National Team. Gandy registered eight goals and Fullen totaled 14 saves in the cage over three games, leading Team USA to the silver medal.
In December 2001, the U.S. Junior National Team captured the nation’s first FINA Junior World Championship in a 10-9 overtime win. Amber Stachowski led the United States with four goals and Thalia Munro added one. UCLA players accounted for 48 percent of U.S. scoring with 38 of Team USA’s 80 goals.
In the 2003 FINA Junior World Championships, Feher, Lauren Heineck, Kristina Kunkel and Kelly Rulon all saw significant playing time for the United States. In 2004, the Junior National Team won the gold medal at the Pan-American Games.
At the 2003 FINA World Championships, Robin Beauregard scored the game-winning goal in the United States’ 8-6 victory over Italy in the title game. The victory over Italy gave the U.S. women’s water polo team its first-ever gold medal.
Following the FINA World Championships, Team USA headed to the Pan American Games in hopes of earning an Olympic berth. The Senior National team went on to compete in the 2004 Athens Olympics, placing third.
Team USA, featuring Bruins (from left) Maddie Musselman, Rachel Fattal, and Alys Williams, won its third straight gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games (in 2021).
Maddie Musselman was named the Tokyo Olympic Games MVP.
Dirks Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center has served as the home for UCLA women’s water polo since 2010.
Dirks Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center
The UCLA women’s water polo team begins its 16th season playing at Dirks Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center in the spring of 2025. Over the past 15 seasons, UCLA has logged an 80-14 (.851) record at its state-of-the-art home facility. In 2025, UCLA is slated to play six regular-season games at Spieker Aquatics Center and another three in the postseason as the Bruins are hosting the 2025 MPSF Women's Water Polo Championship Tournament.
Spieker Aquatics Center opened in September 2009, in time for the start of the men’s water polo season that fall. PCL Construction broke ground on the facility in July 2008. The athletics department offi cially opened Spieker Aquatics Center on Sept. 26, 2009, as the men’s water polo team defeated UC Irvine, 10-4, after a dedication ceremony that evening.
In the spring of 2017, UCLA hosted the MPSF Tournament (April 28-30), using Dirks Pool at Spieker Aquatics Center. The Bruins took full advantage of their home court and won the Conference Tournament by beating second-ranked Stanford, 6-3, on April 30, 2017. The Bruins also hosted the MPSF Tournament in May 2009, taking advantage of the home setting to win the title at the three-day event.
UCLA’s men’s water polo team won its 10th NCAA title in school history at Spieker Aquatics Center in 2015.
The Bruins can also use the pool at Sunset Canyon Recreation Center when hosting larger events.
Spieker Aquatics Center features a 52-meter by 25-yard alldeep water pool with a dividing bulkhead, allowing races to take place at varying distances (meters, versus yards). The pool also has four platforms on a diving tower, at heights of three, five,
seven and one half, and 10-meter platforms, as well as one and three-meter springboards. In addition, the aquatics center features a warming pool for divers directly behind the tower.
Adjacent to Sunset Canyon Recreation Center on the northwest portion of campus, the Spieker Aquatics Center was made possible thanks to a generous lead gift from former studentathlete Tod Spieker and his wife, Catherine. Tod, a 1971 UCLA graduate and All-American, swam for the Bruins from 1968-71 and still competes successfully in Master’s Swimming.
The main pool, Dirks Pool, is named after Carolyn Dirks, who provided the lead gift for the swimming pool. Dirks Pool has also been used for special use events and Masters Swim meets. The signature feature of the Spieker Aquatics Center is the diving tower, which sits at the west end of the pool.
The east end of the pool houses the new scoreboard, an LED, state-of-the-art piece of electronics, making scores, statistics and messages easily visible to all in attendance.
Next to the scoreboard is the “Wall of Champions”that showcases all of UCLA’s water polo, swimming and diving national championship teams, and individual student-athletes’ achievements, record-holders and Olympians.
Separate men’s and women’s locker rooms house enough lockers for all team members, with shower space and bathroom stalls and sinks for each team. Equipment needed for meets and matches have storage capacity on the facility’s south side.
When walking through the public entryway to the center, visitors first notice the Donor Wall. All donors who generously made gifts to the Spieker Aquatics Center are recognized on this wall. Additionally, over 50 former UCLA water polo players, swimmers and divers made gifts to “name” a locker. Those names will
forever be part of the locker rooms in the new facility.
The state-of-the-art facility brings together all three of UCLA’s intercollegiate aquatic sports – water polo, swimming and diving – to one venue. The aquatics center features event lighting and permanent seating with the possibility of additional temporary seating for larger events.
Win-Loss Record
The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) was established in 1992-1993 to serve the competitive needs of member institutions from the Big West, Pacific-10 (now the Pac-12) and Western Athletic Conferences, as well as other selected universities in the western United States; and to provide championship competition for Division-I Intercollegiate Olympic sports in a conference setting. The founding principles on which the MPSF was originally formed were to provide enhanced competition and championship opportunities for sports without conference affiliation, to contain the costs of competition, and to ensure the survival of endangered sports. The MPSF has also served as an incubator for emerging women's sports and as a safe harbor for sports impacted by conference realignments. Since its inaugural season, the MPSF has seen its charter conference membership grow by the addition of the Mountain West and West Coast Conferences and their respective member institutions, as well as the addition of women's water polo, women's gymnastics, fencing, artistic swimming, beach volleyball, men's rowing, men's and women's swimming and diving, and men's and women's wrestling. As a testament to its viability, the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation continues to successfully navigate the ever-changing sea of college sports by fostering contraction and expansion of its sports portfolio to meet the dynamic needs of its members. As the MPSF is in its 33rd season during the 2024-25 academic year and continues its legacy of championship competition, it affirms the vision of its founders and the relevance of its
founding principles.
In 2024-25, the MPSF will sponsor competition in 15 Intercollegiate Olympic sports, while serving 86 teams from 46 universities across 14 states. MPSF teams compete primarily at the NCAA Division-I level in men's and women's water polo, indoor track and field, gymnastics, swimming and diving, fencing, beach volleyball, and men's volleyball. MPSF teams are eligible to compete in the NCAA Championships with men's and women's water polo, men's volleyball, and beach volleyball conference champions earning automatic qualification. The MPSF’s newest sports-beach volleyball, men's rowing, and men's and women's wrestling--make their debut seasons in the conference in 2024-25.
The MPSF matched its all-time high of five national championships during the 2023-24 athletic year. The programs from California Men's Water Polo, Stanford Men's Gymnastics, Incarnate Word Artistic Swimming, and UCLA Men's Volleyball and women's water polo brought the total to 111 NCAA titles and 117 overall national championships for the conference since its 1992 inaugural season. The MPSF also turned in a high of five national championships during the 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2015-16 years, while it has won at least four in 16 of the last 20 years, and at least two in all but one of its 32 years. In the spring of 2021, the MPSF became the first Non-Power Five Conference to reach the century mark in NCAA titles. With California and UCLA winning water polo national championships last year, the MPSF stayed perfect with
all 55 NCAA crowns in the sport since the inception of the conference (32 men, 23 women). In terms of conference titles, Oklahoma Men's Gymnastics owns a record of 19 overall MPSF Championships.
The MPSF has also been well represented in the last eight Olympic Games dating back to 1996, most recently in the 2024 Paris Olympics. A total of 138 current or former MPSF student-athletes and coaches participated and brought home a total of 59 medals, placing the MPSF fourth in both total participants and medals across all NCAA Conferences in the 33rd Olympiad. The MPSF's 59 total medals in Paris were an increase from 35 earned in the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Aubrie Monahan (holding trophy) and the Bruins took the top spot at the 2017 MPSF Women’s Water Polo Championships.
