HONOLULU — After capturing the Big West regular-season and conference titles for a third consecutive season, the University of Hawai'i women's water polo team claimed 10 Big West honors, including a sweep of the conference's major awards for a second straight season.
The Big West announced its postseason awards on Friday and seven members of UH program received conference recognition. Agatha Weston earned UH's fourth straight Big West Player of the Year award, Ariadna Temprano Xambó was named the conference's Freshman of the Year, and James Robinson picked up a second straight Big West Coach of the Year honor.
Robinson repeated as Big West Coach of the Year after leading UH to a 16-5 record, highlighted by a 6-0 mark in conference play and another sweep of the league titles. Robinson becomes the first UH coach to claim back-to-back conference Coach of the Year honors since Michel Roy in 2005 and '06.
Returning from a redshirt season, Weston earned Player of the Year and All-Big West First Team honors following a breakout campaign on both ends of the pool. Weston leads the Rainbow Wahine in goals (51), shooting percentage (.586), steals (31), and field blocks (13). She's also tied for the league lead in steals per game (1.6) and ranks second in field blocks. Weston recorded at least three goals in eight matches, including a historic eight-goal performance — the second highest single-game total in program history — against UC Irvine (Jan. 31). The sophomore has been equally disruptive defensively with multiple steals in 10 contests, highlighted by a six-steal game against Long Beach State (March 1). Weston earned MVP honors at the Big West Championship after scoring four goals in the final against Long Beach State last weekend. She becomes UH's eighth Big West Player of the Year and the program's fourth consecutive recipient.
Temprano Xambó collected Freshman of the Year, All-Big West First Team, and All-Freshman Team honors after emerging as a key contributor. She is the seventh Rainbow Wahine to be named conference Freshman of the Year. Temprano Xambó powered UH's offense with a team-high 78 points (43 goals and 35 assists) with a .473 shooting percentage. The freshman scored a goal in 20 of 21 contests this season, including seven matches with at least three goals. She recorded at least four points in the final five matches of the season to help UH secure both conference titles.
Junior Daisy Logtens was named to the All-Big West First Team for a third straight season and continues to perform as one of the nation's top goalies. The junior racked up 157 saves with a .467 save percentage and added 13 steals in 582 minutes in the cage. She recorded double-digit saves in nine contests and a .500 save percentage or better in 11 matches. Logtens has accumulated 582 career saves, which ranks fourth in program history.
Standout sophomore Ema Vernoux garnered All-Big West First Team recognition for a second straight season. In 17 games, Vernoux recorded 38 goals (.442 shooting percentage), 14 assists, and 13 steals. She posted five-goal performances in a win against UC San Diego (March 7) and in a 14-13 loss in a duel with third-ranked USC (March 18). Vernoux is UH's active leader with 116 goals and has 22 career matches with at least three goals.
A key presence in the middle, Raha Peiravani's increased role resulted in a productive senior campaign that earned her All-Big West Second Team honors. The award marks Peiravani's first career conference honor. The senior led the team with 49 drawn exclusions, while adding 13 goals (.565 SH%), six steals, and seven field blocks.
Asimina Klapsianou joined Temprano Xambó on the All-Freshman Team, serving a crucial role in UH's rotation. Klapsianou recorded 12 goals, two assists, and two steals, while drawing 40 exclusions. She closed the season strong, scoring a goal in four of the final five matches, including a hat trick against Cal State Fullerton (April 3).
The Rainbow Wahine are preparing for their third straight appearance in the National Collegiate Women's Water Polo Championship and will face fourth-seeded Cal in a first-round match on April 24 at Canyonview Pool in La Jolla, Calif.
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