SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Cal’s Aran Pina was named the Delfina Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Men’s Water Polo West Division Player of the Week after leading the No. 4 Golden Bears to a victory over No. 1 Stanford. UCLA’s Luka Gladovic was tabbed the S&R Sport MPSF Men’s Water Polo West Division Newcomer of the Week after helping guide the No. 2 Bruins past No. 3 USC. Connecticut College’s Jesse Ellis collected Delfina MPSF East Division Player of the Week honors, while Wheaton College’s Stefan Kecman was named the S&R Sport MPSF East Division Newcomer of the Week.
MPSF WEST DELFINA PLAYER OF THE WEEK – ARAN PINA, CALIFORNIA
In a top-four battle, No. 4 Cal upended top-ranked Stanford, 12-8, Saturday, with sophomore goalie Aran Pina playing a prominent role in the victory. Pina recorded 12 saves, including a crucial stop on a penalty shot, in the contest. He anchored a Cal defense that limited Stanford to a season-low eight goals and held the Cardinal scoreless on all six of its power play chances. Pina stopped 60 percent of his shots faced, adding a steal and a drawn exclusion in the win.
Also Nominated: Dimitris Chatzis, Stanford; Ryder Dodd, UCLA
MPSF EAST DELFINA PLAYER OF THE WEEK – JESSE ELLIS, CONNECTICUT COLLEGE
Senior attacker Jesse Ellis led Connecticut College in four games across the weekend, tallying eight points on six goals and two assists. Ellis scored two goals and added two assists on Friday against UC Merced. On Saturday, Ellis recorded three goals across two games, with one against Pomona-Pitzer and two against Biola. Ellis ended the weekend by adding one more goal against MIT.
Also Nominated: Brian Otto, Wheaton College
MPSF WEST S&R SPORT NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK – LUKA GLADOVIC, UCLA
In a crosstown rivalry between a pair of top-three teams, Luka Gladovic helped lead No. 2 UCLA to a 15-7 victory over No. 3 USC on Saturday. He finished with two goals, an assist and a field block. Both of Gladovic’s scores broke a tie at that point in the contest. Gladovic recorded his third multi-score game in a row and ninth overall.
Also Nominated: Dimitris Chatzis, Stanford
MPSF EAST S&R SPORT NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK – STEFAN KECMAN, WHEATON COLLEGE
Wheaton College’s Stefan Kecman registered two points for the Lyons and added a steal and a field block against Salem University on Friday in the Lyons’ only contest of the week.
Also Nominated: Laird Welch, Connecticut College