UCLA
UC San Diego
UCLA Opens Barbara Kalbus Invitational with UCSD
February 23, 2017 | Women's Water Polo
LOS ANGELES -- No. 3 UCLA heads to the campus of UC Irvine Friday to open play at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational. The tournament, which features 16 of the top 22 teams in this week's CWPA poll, is a three-day event. The Bruins will face UC San Diego in their first contest (12:30 p.m.).
The Series -- The Bruins hold a 25-3 all-time record against the Tritons, including a 17-2 win this season at last month's UCSB Winter Invitational (Jan. 22).
Coming Up -- Following three days of games at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational, the Bruins return home before heading north to Saratoga, Calif. for its first MPSF match of the season, a 1:00 p.m. showdown with San Jose State.
Kapana Named Player of the Week -- UCLA sophomore goalkeeper Carlee Kapana was named the MPSF Player of the Week Tuesday. Kapana totaled 13 saves and surrendered just one goal in the Bruins' 16-1 victory over the No. 6 UC Irvine Anteaters on Feb. 17. The sophomore, whose lone goal against came in the final minute of the third quarter, also recorded one assist and one steal in the Bruins' home opener. This is Kapana's second career MPSF honor and first Player of the Week award.
Bruins Hold Steady at Third in Week 6 Poll -- UCLA once again checked in at No. 3 in the CWPA poll when the Week 6 edition was announced Feb. 22. The Bruins are also third in the MPSF preseason coaches poll, where they totaled one first-place vote and 28 points overall. Also receiving first-place votes were No. 1 Stanford (four), No. 2 USC (one) and No. 4 California (one). This marks the first time ever that four teams have earned at least one first-place vote in the MPSF preseason coaches poll. The MPSF has been the dominant conference in NCAA women's water polo, winning all 21 national championships since its inaugural season in 1996.
Exclusive Company -- The Bruins have outscored opponents 128-21 through their first eight games. The 21 goals allowed over that period of time are the least permitted by a Bruin team all-time. The 128 goals scored during that same stretch, meanwhile, are the second most by a Bruin team all-time. The 2015 Bruins netted the most at 130. Lastly, the 107-goal difference between the Bruins and their opponents is the greatest margin through eight games in program history.
Record Watch -- Bruin redshirt senior Rachel Fattal has already maneuvered up the UCLA individual career record books over the team's first eight games, and is within striking distance of the top spot in two notable categories. Fattal currently sits in fourth place on the all-time list with 188. Next in her sights is Katie Rulon (2006-09), who netted 201 goals in her career. The all-time record holder is Kelly Rulon (2003, 2005-07), who scored 237 goals over the course her career. Also, in the Bruin win over UCI, Fattal recorded one steal to put her at 169 takeaways for her career and 12 behind Kelly Rulon's (2006-09) 181 for a share of the all-time mark.
In the Cage -- Kapana, who shared time in goal with the departed Alex Musselman in 2016, has tallied 77 saves over 7.59 games played this season (10.15 saves per game). For the year, Kapana holds a 2.77 goals against average. Freshman Hannah Storum, who finished in the cage versus UC San Diego (Jan. 22), has tallied six saves of her own and has yet to allow a goal this season. Between the two goalies, the Bruin GAA sits at 2.63.
And for Her Next Trick... -- With her four goals in the Bruins' win over UC Irvine on Feb. 17, freshman attacker Maddie Musselman has now recorded five hat tricks in her first eight games at the college level. She also led the team with three assists and four steals in the home-opening victory. For the year, Musselman has totaled team highs of 23 goals and 24 steals. She is also tied for the team lead with nine earned exclusions and 10 sprints won. Musselman has twice been named MPSF Newcomer of the Week (Jan. 17, Jan. 24).
Fresh Faces -- Five first-timers have recorded playing time for the Bruins over the team's first eight contests. In addition to Musselman, utility player Bronte Halligan has posted four goals, seven assists and seven steals over six games (three starts), while attacker Jenna Hurst has added two goals in seven games played. Attacker Brooke Maxson also made her debut in the Bruins' home-opening win over UC Irvine. Storum has added six saves in 0.42 games played in net. Freshmen yet to see action this season for the Bruins are attackers Haley Evans and Emily Skelly and utility players Tara Prentice and Bridgett Storm. Junior goalie Donya Dehnad, who is a junior transfer, is also new to the team.
Krikorian to be Honored -- Bruin water polo alum and UCLA Athletics Hall of Famer Adam Krikorian will be honored with the first-ever "Extraordinary Achievement in Olympic Sport" Award by the Los Angeles Sports Council during the 12th Annual LA Sports Awards on Monday, Feb. 27 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. In addition to his one NCAA title as a player in 1995, Krikorian won three championships as an assistant coach (one with the men's team in 1996 and two with the women's team in 1997 and 1998) and 11 more as a head coach (1999, 2000 and 2004 with the men's team and 2000, 2001, 2003 and a five-peat from 2005-09). As head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team, he has guided Team USA to two Olympic gold medals and three consecutive World League Championships. Krikorian has also been honored as Pac-12 Women's Water Polo Coach of the Century and is a member of the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame.
Head Coach Brandon Brooks -- Brandon Brooks (UCLA '05) returns for his eighth season, having compiled a 178-39 record over his first seven. Brooks, the 2015 MPSF Coach of the Year, has coached UCLA to three MPSF Tournament titles in six seasons (2010, 2012, 2015). In addition, the Bruins have advanced to the MPSF Tournament championship match five times during his tenure. Twenty-three of Brooks' players have earned 39 All-America certificates, and 21 players have earned 38 All-MPSF awards. As an assistant coach with the men's and women's programs, Brooks was involved in four NCAA championships, and as a player, he was part of two NCAA title teams (1999 and 2000). A two-time Olympic goalkeeper, Brooks was the starting goalkeeper for the 2004 U.S. team that won the silver medal in Athens.
