No. 4 Water Polo Clashes With No. 6 UC Irvine For Big West Supremacy

HONOLULU- As the regular season nears a close, the No. 4 University of Hawai'i water polo team returns for its final two home matches of the year, beginning with a showdown versus No. 6 UC Irvine this Saturday, April 15. First sprint will take place at 6:00 p.m. HT at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Center.

It's a crucial match-up between the top two teams in the Big West. Both teams enter the match undefeated in league play at 5-0 and the winner will claim at least a share of the regular-season title. Each squad is coming in hot. The 'Bows (18-4) have won nine of their last 11 matches with its two losses coming at the hands of No. 2 USC and No. 3 UCLA. Meanwhile, the Anteaters (15-6) have won seven straight.

The Rainbow Wahine already faced UCI earlier this year in the third-place match of Triton Invitational in San Diego on Feb. 5. UH defeated the Anteaters 12-8 on the strength of Alba Bonamusa Boix who tallied five goals and two assists for the 'Bows. UH has defeated UCI in 12 of the previous 13 meetings, including the last four straight.

Along with Bonamusa Boix, freshman center Bia Mantellato Dias and senior defender Emma van Rossum figure to be major contributors in Saturday's match. Mantellato Dias earned back-to-back Big West Player of the Week honors following UH's last two weeks of competition. Meanwhile, van Rossum was recently named to the Cutino Award watch list, recognizing the nation's top players.

Following its contest versus UC Irvine, Hawai'i will host its Senior Night match on Saturday, April 22 against UC Davis at 6 p.m. Admission to the UH matches are free to the public.

#HawaiiWWP

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#3 Emma van Rossum: Center; 6' 2"; Freshman

#6 Alba Bonamusa Boix: Attacker; 5' 6"; Freshman

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

Players Mentioned

#3 Emma van Rossum
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: Center

#6 Alba Bonamusa Boix
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: Attacker

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

Players Mentioned

#3 Emma van Rossum

#6 Alba Bonamusa Boix

#14 Bia Mantellato Dias

Players Mentioned

#3 Emma van Rossum

#6 Alba Bonamusa Boix

#14 Bia Mantellato Dias