Waves Add Two More NLI Signees

Malibu, Calif. – After finishing the year in the national semifinal, the No. 4 Pepperdine men's water polo team adds two more recruits for the 2020 season. Nicholas Fichman and Travis Reynolds will join the Waves next year.

"We are excited to add two strong centers to our incoming class," said head coach Terry Schroeder. "I am also excited about their character and the fit into both the culture of our team as well as the culture of Pepperdine as a university."

Nicholas Fichman | 6-foot-1 Center Forward | Sao Paolo, Brazil

Represented the Brazilian national team in the 17U Pan-American Championship in Lima, Peru and earned a silver medal … Also played for the Brazilian national team in the 18U World Championship in Szombathely, Hungary earning 11th place … Earned gold in the 19U Pan-American Championship … Played in the 20U World Championship in Kuwait … Played junior college at Orange Coast College … Was third in the Orange Empire Conference in goals scored, with 86 … He tacked on 14 assists for an even 100 points on the year … Chose Pepperdine because "it has an excellent water polo program and are one of the best business schools in California. My sister studied at Pepperdine and she had a great experience. Therefore, I think that Pepperdine will be the right university for me."

Schroeder on Fichman: "Nicholas is one of the top junior college centers in the nation. He is currently playing in the Junior World Championships with team Brazil. His two years of junior college and his international experiences will add depth and strength to our center game."

Travis Reynolds | 6-foot-4 Center | Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.

Played high school water polo at Loyola High School, and earned fourth place in CIF Division one as a sophomore and junior, and third place as a senior … Played for Trojan Water Polo Club, earning the bronze medal as a 14U, silver medal as a 16U and was top five as an 18U at the Junior Olympics … Named an academic All-American in 2018 and 2019 … Chose Pepperdine because "Academically, I want to attain a degree that aligns with the pathway to Commercial Real-estate, and after looking into the Pepperdine Business program felt that it was a great fit.

Pepperdine has an excellent Division 1 NCAA Water Polo program led by two individuals that I admire. My goal was to have the skills to play at a university that had a Division 1 NCAA water polo team that was competitive enough to potentially win a national title. Pepperdine's water polo program is led by two outstanding individuals, Terry Schroeder Merrill and Moses both Olympians and great coaches, who are committed to both family and Pepperdine. Family is extremely important to me, and I immediately felt a sense of family with this water polo program and the coaches. The Christian foundation of Pepperdine is also an important factor in my selection. Lastly, Pepperdine is a small university. The small classes in the business program are also a good fit for my learning style, and similar to that of Loyola High School. Knowing that my teachers know my name, not just my student number, is extremely important to me and is an environment that allows me to learn more efficiently with less distractions."

Schroeder on Reynolds: "Travis is one of the best high school centers in the country. His fundamentals and ability to hold position creates a strong center presence and commands a drop which will open up our outside shooters."

The Waves finished the 2019 season in the National semifinal round and an end-of-year ranking of fourth in the nation.

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