FULLERTON, Calif. - In preparation of the WWPA Men's Water Polo Championships, the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) announced the postseason All-Conference selections on Wednesday morning. Three Sunbirds were recognized for their stellar performances this season, capturing three different All-WWPA honors.
Leading the way for the Sunbirds,
Forrest Gray earned a spot on the All-WWPA Second Team. The senior from Milpitas has four hat tricks and 13 multi-scoring matches this season. Thus far, he has tallied 57 goals, 16 assists, and 17 steals. Gray hit a season-high seven goals twice in the wins against Division I Iona and UC Merced. He is sixth in conference in goals-per-game (2.6) tenth in points (78) and eighth in points-per-game (3.5).
In the cage,
Chase Hammes, the two-time WWPA Defensive Player of the Week, was named All-WWPA Honorable Mention. He contributed to the big wins over La Verne, Division I Iona, and the conference upsets over UC Merced and Biola. Last year, he was named Second-Team All-WWPA after capturing 192 saves, 3 assists, and 26 steals over the course of the season, making this his second conference honor. The junior goalkeeper is currently fifth in conference in steals (39) and third in saves (196), saves per game (8.9), and steals per game (1.8).
Tristin Fox was selected to the All-Defensive team after collecting 28 goals, 15 steals, and 4 field blocks this season. The sophomore utility boasts a .315 shooting percentage with two hat tricks under his belt. His defensive abilities in the water, paired with Hammes in the cage, has contributed to countless turnovers and shifts in momentum for the Sunbirds.
Fresno Pacific men's water polo, led by first-year head coach
Jonathan Miller, finished the regular season 4-18 overall and 2-4 in conference play. The Sunbirds had an incredible start to WWPA conference play and recently battled with their west region opponents in the final week of regular season, ultimately earning the #3 seed for the conference tournament. The WWPA Conference Championships will be held in Geneva, Ohio on November 21-23. All conference teams (East and West) with compete for the conference championship title.
NEXT UP: The 'Birds take on McKendree in the Quarterfinals on Friday, November 21 at 12 pm ET.
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