SAN BRUNO, Calif. - Pepperdine water polo was selected at No. 2 in the WCC Preseason Coaches Poll announced today by the West Coast Conference. In addition, senior attacker Adam Csapo and sophomore attacker Erik Ionescu were each named to the All-WCC Preseason Team.

Csapo, a native of Budapest, Hungary, led the Waves with 119 points in 29 games during his stellar junior campaign. Csapo earned ACWPC All-American Honorable Mention recognition while being named to the All-WCC Second Team for the second straight season. He tabbed 70 goals total on the season which ranked sixth in the conference while his 119 points was second in the WCC circuit. Csapo was a force on defense as well as his 30 steals ranked ninth in the WCC. Throughout his career, Csapo has scored 183 goals to go along with 96 assists in 85 games through his first three seasons with Pepperdine. 

Ionescu, a native of Budapest, Hungary, was the WCC Freshman of the Year in 2024 after a breakout campaign for the Waves. He totaled 51 goals and 35 assists on the season as his 86 points ranked third on the team. Ionescu was named WCC Newcomer of the Week on three occasions while eventually earning All-WCC Honorable Mention following the season. His 19 points in conference play was the sixth-highest among all players in the West Coast Conference.

The Waves are coming off a 21-8 campaign in 2024 which also saw a 5-1 mark in conference play in Moses first full season at the helm. The Waves earned six victories over top-six opponents on the year including a sudden death overtime triumph over No. 2 Cal. 

Pepperdine will open the season at the Triton Invite from August 30-31 at UC San Diego. The Waves will matchup with Navy and Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday, August 30th to begin the campaign.

2025 West Coast Conference Men's Water Polo Preseason Coaches Poll
1. San Jose State - 33 points (4)
2. Pepperdine - 29 points (1)
T-3. LMU - 24 points (1) 
T-3. Pacific - 24 points (1)
5. California Baptist - 16 points
6. Santa Clara - 15 points
7. Air Force – 6 points

2025 West Coast Conference Men's Water Polo Preseason Team
Tommaso Baldineti, LMU
Mateja Bosić, San Jose State
Adam Csapo, Pepperdine
Riccardo De Simon, Santa Clara
Brendon Gyapjas, San Jose State
Erik Ionescu, Pepperdine 
Tom Leggett, Air Force
Andrea Nuzzo, California Baptist

ABOUT PEPPERDINE WATER POLO
Pepperdine water polo has seen success spanning decades under Terry Schroeder who gave the reins to Merrill Moses following the 2023 season. Highlighted by its national championship in 1997 with Moses as the starting goalie, the Waves have reached the NCAA Tournament on 13 occasions and recently won the inaugural WCC Regular Season Championship in 2023. Overall, the program has seen 60 athletes garner All-American honors while boasting a winning record in 36 of 50 seasons.

TICKETS
For more information and to purchase tickets to upcoming home events, visit here.

FOLLOW
To stay up-to-date on the latest Pepperdine water polo news, follow the Waves on social media @PepperdineMWP.