SAN BRUNO, Calif. — Pepperdine water polo freshman Brian Barnuevo was named West Coast Conference Newcomer of the Week, announced today by the conference.

Barnuevo recorded nine goals and six assists across four games at the MPSF Invite as the Waves recorded a 3-1 record which featured wins over Redlands, No. 16 Cal Baptist and No. 9 Princeton.

Beginning the tournament on Friday, Barnuevo logged a goal, assist and steal in the Waves overtime fixture with No. 11 UC Davis.

Returning on Saturday, the Los Angeles native posted a goal, assist and steal once again as the Waves took down Redlands 25-11. In game two of the day against No. 16 Cal Baptist, Barnuevo exploded for a career-high five goals and seven points to lead the Waves to a 17-11 win over the Lancers.

Matching up with No. 9 Princeton on Sunday, Barnuevo scored twice while assisting twice as Pepperdine knocked off the Tigers by a score of 17-15.

Barnuevo has contributed 13 goals and 11 assists through Pepperdine's first 12 games, as his 24 points ranks fifth on the team. He has scored a goal in eight of 12 games, with his first career multi-goal efforts coming against Cal Baptist and Princeton.

The award marks the first of his career and the first for any Wave this season from the WCC.

Barnuevo and the Waves will hit the road next to take on No. 3 Cal on Saturday at 1 p.m., before a road tilt at No. 4 Stanford at the same time on Sunday.

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.