University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics

2023 HAWAI'I WATER POLO

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

• UH finished the season 21-6 overall, notching the program’s 10th season of 20 or more wins and its highest win total since the 2018 season.

• The Rainbow Wahine finished runner-up to UC Irvine in the regular season title and advanced to the title match of the Big West Conference Championship for the fifth straight time, falling to the UCI, 10-9, in overtime.

• The Rainbow Wahine were ranked as high as fourth nationally before finishing the season at No. 6 in the final CWPA Poll. 

• UH earned the No 4 ranking after a dramatic 9-8 overtime win over Cal in which goalkeeper Bridget Layburn scored a length of the pool goal at the buzzer. 

• UH was led during the season by second team All-American Bia Mantellato Dias who was named both the Big West Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year.

• Mantellato Dias scored 82 goals, the third-most ever in a single-season at UH. She recorded a hat trick in 15 matches and her seven goals in a win at UC San Diego were the most in 10 years by a UH player and tied for the third most ever scored in a single match. 

• Alba Bonamusa Boix was named an honorable mention All-American and to the all-Big West first team after finishing second on the team in goals (57) and total points (84). 

• Emma van Rossum capped her stellar career at UH with a bevy of honors that included All-America honorable mention, all-Big West second team, Cutino Award Watch list and the female recipient of the Jack Bonham Award.

• Head coach Maureen Cole picked up her 200th career win with a 20-3 win over Cal State Fullerton and finished her 12th season at the helm with 203 victories.

AWARDS & HONORS

ALL-AMERICA HONORS

• SECOND TEAM: Alba Bonamusa Boix (Attacker)
• HONORABLE MENTION: Emma van Rossum (Defender), Bia Mantellato Dias (Center)

ALL-BIG WEST HONORS

• FIRST TEAM: Alba Bonamusa Boix (Attacker)
• SECOND TEAM: Emma van Rossum (Defender), Bridget Layburn (Goalie)
• HONORABLE MENTION: Lot Stertefeld (Utility)

Freshman Sensation

All eyes were on Bia Mantellato Dias who quickly become one of the best players in the nation as just a freshman.

HITTING A MILESTONE

In her 12th season as head coach, Maureen Cole earned her 200th career win with a 20-3 win over Cal State Fullerton

MEMORABLE MOMENT

The Rainbow Wahine win an overtime thriller after goalkeeper Bridget Layburn scored a length of the pool goal at the buzzer to beat Cal 9-8.

PICTURE PERFECT

Some of the top shots of the year

CLASS OF 2023

Olivia Kistler, Libby Gault, Emma van Rossum

#GOBOWS #SISTAHHOOD