Pacific's Michele Relton (Beaconsfield, Quebec, Canada/St. Thomas HS) garnered the first Big West Women's Water Polo Player of the Week award for the 2013 season with an impressive defensive display in the cage.

The junior goalkeeper made 56 saves in five matches (11.2 spg) and helped the Tigers to three victories at UCSB Winter Invite to highlight the week.  Relton stopped 11 shots against No. 4 California and 12 more versus No. 3 UCLA to open the week's action.

Relton then made a season-high 14 saves in a 13-5 shellacking of Azusa Pacific before squelching eight Loyola Marymount attempts in an 8-6 upset victory over the No. 8-ranked Lions.  She concluded the UCSB Invite with 11 more saves in an 8-5 triumph over Cal State Bakersfield.

The 56 saves bettered Relton's career total to 679 blocks, which puts her just two short from becoming Pacific's all-time leader.

Others nominated: Lindsy Nelson (Cal State Northridge); Amber Pezzolla (San Diego State); Carmen Eggert (UC Davis); Jillian Yocum (UC Irvine); Shelby Haroldson (UC Santa Barbara)