Mantellato Dias Earns Second Big West Weekly Award

IRVINE, Calif. — University of Hawai'i freshman attacker Bia Mantellato Dias was named the Big West Water Polo Player of the Week after leading the Rainbow Wahine to a pair of dramatic home wins last weekend. It is the second time this season she has earned the honor.

The native of Sao Paulo, Brazil tallied seven goals and added an assist, two steals and eight exclusions drawn as UH defeated No. 9 Long Beach State and upset No. 3 California. Matellato Dias netted four goals in the win over the Beach to help move UH to 3-0 in conference. She scored three of those goals in the first nine minutes of action to help UH stake an important early lead before holding on for an eventual 9-7 win.

She followed that performance up with another hat trick, scoring three goals in UH's thrilling 9-8 double-overtime win over Cal. Among them was a goal with just five ticks left in overtime to force another extra period. UH eventually won on goalkeeper's Bridget Layburn's buzzer-beating empty net score in double-overtime. It marked just the 12th win in 46 all-time meetings against the Golden Bears.

Dias currently leads the team in numerous categories, including goals (58), shots (107) and shooting percentage (.542). She has also added seven assists and 10 steals on the year.

Dias and the 'Bows are currently on the road in Southern California in preparation for three matches over the course of four days. UH, which moved to No. 4 in the last latest national poll, will play a pair of Big West contests at No. 18 UC San Diego (March 30) and Cal State Fullerton (March 31) before taking on No. 3 UCLA (April 2) in a non-conference contest to cap the trip.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Bridget Layburn: Goalie; 5' 11"; Freshman

#14 Bia Mantellato Dias: CTR; 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#1 Bridget Layburn
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: Goalie

#14 Bia Mantellato Dias
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: CTR

Players Mentioned

#1 Bridget Layburn

#14 Bia Mantellato Dias

Players Mentioned

#1 Bridget Layburn

#14 Bia Mantellato Dias