MALIBU, California – With the new season rapidly approaching, Pepperdine Coach Terry Schroeder introduced the newest Waves who will be competing for the men's water polo team this fall.
 
First-time Waves this fall include a two-time All-American from Harvard (Dennis Blyashov), an All-American junior college goalie (Nathan James) and five freshmen, two of whom hail from Hungary (Adam Csapo and Sandor Gal) and one who is a Malibu resident (Milo Joseph).
 
"We are very excited about our 2022 recruiting class," Schroeder said. "We have high-level, experienced student-athletes coming in to fill critical spots on the team. This may be one of our best incoming classes ever."
 
Dennis Blyashov – Attacker – Carlsbad, Calif. – Harvard
 
Graduated from Harvard in 2021 with a degree in economics and a minor in neuroscience ... A two-time All-American ... Played three seasons (2017-19), and the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19 ... Had a career total of 236 goals (94 as a 2017 freshman, 81 as a 2018 sophomore and 61 as a 2019 junior) ... Received All-American third team status from the ACWPC in 2017 and was honorable mention in 2018 ... Made the All-Northeast Water Polo Conference first team in 2018 and 2019, and was the league's Rookie of the Year in 2017 ... Competed with various U.S. youth national teams for four years ... Graduated from Cathedral Catholic High School, located in San Diego, Calif., in 2017 ... Three-time All-CIF first team selection.
 
Blyashov says he chose to attend Pepperdine because it "was the perfect combination of high-level water polo and a great business school."
 
Conor Brough – Attacker – Dana Point, Calif. – Orange Lutheran HS
 
Graduated from Orange Lutheran High School, located in Orange, Calif., in 2022 ... Also attended JSerra Catholic High School his first three years ... Played four years of varsity water polo ... Scored 59 goals as a senior ... Made the All-CIF first team as a sophomore ... Won a Division 4 CIF championship in 2019 ... Played with the Orange County Water Polo Club ... Also took part in the 6-8 Water Polo Training Academy and attended the Sibenik Water Polo Training Camp in Croatia.
 
Brough says he chose to attend Pepperdine because "aside from the rich water polo history, top-notch coaches, awesome academic offerings and incredible campus, Pepperdine treats its athletes and students like family."
 
Adam Csapo – Attacker – Budapest, Hungary
 
Has been part of the Hungarian National Team system since the age of 8, and made the Junior National Team in 2015 ... With his club teams, UVSE Hunguest Hotels and KSI SE, has been a two-time Hungarian champion and a two-time Hungarian Cup winner ... Graduated from BME International Secondary School in 2022.
 
Csapo says he chose to attend Pepperdine because "I somehow always knew that I would live in California, so when I had to make the decision, Malibu seemed like the ideal place for me to be. The coaching staff and their straightforwardness made me decide that I wanted to become part of the Waves' family."
 
Zach Cwiertnia – Goalie – Villa Park, Calif. – Santa Margarita Catholic HS
 
Graduated from Santa Margarita Catholic High School, located in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., in 2022 ... Played three years of varsity water polo ... Earned All-CIF first team and All-Trinity League first team as a senior and was listed among the Orange County Register's top 10 players to watch ... Averaged 11 saves per game ... Also made the All-Trinity League second team as a junior ... Competed on the USA Development and USA Cadet teams ... Played club with SoCal and Kahuna.
 
Cwiertnia says he chose to attend Pepperdine because "I loved the coaching staff and the family atmosphere on the team. Everybody is a brother here. And the family extends to all the staff that helps us along in our athletic journeys. It's a type of family that's not worth trading because you'll never get something like this again."
 
Sandor Gal – Attacker – Budapest, Hungary
 
Played with Ferencvarosi Torna Club for nine years ... Took first place at the 2020-21 U19 Hungarian Championship and at the 2018-19 U17 Hungarian Championship ... Graduated from Leovey Klara Gimnazium in 2021.
 
Gal says he chose to attend Pepperdine because it "provided me with a great opportunity to achieve my educational goals while continuing to play collegiate water polo."
 
Nathan James – Goalie – Bakersfield, Calif. – Saddleback CC
 
Attended Saddleback Community College, located in Mission Viejo, Calif., for two years (2020-21 and 2021-22) ... Earned All-American first team, All-SoCal first team and All-Orange Empire Conference first team honors ... Graduated from Garces Memorial High School, located in Bakersfield, Calif., in 2020 ... Also attended East Bakersfield High School his first two years ... Played two years of varsity water polo ... Named All-CIF first team and East Yosemite League MVP as a senior ... Recorded 329 saves that year, setting a school record ... Played with Riptide National League Team in 2022 and Bakersfield Water Polo Club from 2018-21.
 
James says he chose to attend Pepperdine because "after having an amazing time at the Malibu Water Polo Camp in 2019 and seeing how much of a family atmosphere this school and team has, it really made me want to go to this school. Merrill Moses, one of the best goalies ever, will be my coach as well."
 
Milo Joseph – Utility – Malibu, Calif. – Crespi Carmelite HS
 
Graduated from Crespi Carmelite High School, located in Encino, Calif., in 2022 ... Played four years of varsity water polo ... Named the CIF Southern Section D6 Player of the Year as a sophomore ... Made the All-CIF first team as a senior and sophomore ... Made the All-Mission League first team three times and the second team as a sophomore ... Scored 386 goals in his career, including a school-record 163 as a sophomore ... Played with South Coast Aquatics for three years and the Los Angeles Water Polo Club for four years.
 
Joseph says he chose to attend Pepperdine because of "the great coaching staff and family mentality that comes with every single team each year. Growing up in Malibu, Pepperdine was always my dream school as a kid."
 
Pepperdine's 2022 season begins September 3-4 at the Triton Invitational hosted by UC San Diego. The Waves finished 14-13 overall last year and tied for fifth place in the GCC.