MALIBU, California – For the second consecutive week, the Pepperdine men's water polo team has claimed Golden Coast Conference Player of the Week honors, as graduate attacker Dennis Blyashov brought home the league's weekly award today.
 
Blyashov (Carlsbad, Calif./Cathedral Catholic HS/Harvard) had a three-goal, three-assist effort in the Waves' GCC opener against San Jose State last Sunday. Pepperdine trailed 9-5 in the third quarter but scored eight unanswered goals to come away with a 13-10 home victory.
 
As the Spartans jumped out to the lead, Blyashov had two first-half goals to keep the Waves within striking distance. Then, during the scoring run, he assisted on the tying and go-ahead goals in the fourth quarter, and added his third goal late in the game.
 
Blyashov leads the team with 71 points and is second on the squad in goals (40) and assists (31). In the GCC rankings, he's first in points, second in assists and tied for second in goals.
 
Last week, freshman attacker Adam Csapo earned the Waves' first GCC Player of the Week award of the season. Pepperdine is the first GCC school to win consecutive honors this season.
 
The #10 Waves (11-9, 1-0) visit #4 Pacific this Saturday (Oct. 15) for their second GCC game of the season. The 1 p.m. matchup will be streamed on the WCC Network.