Long Beach State is off to the program's best start since 2008 thanks in large part to the efforts of junior Chelsea Parks (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Los Osos HS), who was selected Big West Women's Water Polo Player of the Week.

The 49ers posted a 3-1 record against four ranked opponents in the high-powered Triton Invitational field.  LBSU defeated No. 11 Michigan (8-6), No. 17 Cal State Northridge (10-8 in OT) and No. 13 UC Santa Barbara (9-7), while narrowly missing out on an upset of No. 7 San Diego State in a 7-6 overtime defeat.

Parks was instrumental in the success as she scored a nine of the team's 33 goals for the week to lead all 49ers.

Her best scoring performance came against fellow Big West foe CSUN as she notched a game-high four goals.  She tallied her fourth goal in the first overtime period to give LBSU the lead, then came up with a crucial steal on a Matador counter-attack with about 35 seconds remaining that effectively sealed the 10-8 win.

In the battle for fifth place against the Gauchos, the driver led the 49ers with two goals.  She also contributed a pair of goals against Michigan and a single goal versus San Diego State.

Others nominated:  Lindsy Nelson (Cal State Northridge); Kelsey Klatt (UC Irvine); Mackenzie Brokaw (UC Santa Barbara)