UC Irvine junior Jillian Yocum (Riverside, Calif./Poly HS) handcuffed one of the nation’s top offenses in earning Big West Women’s Water Polo Player of the Week honors.

The goalkeeper nearly spearheaded an upset of No. 3 UCLA, stopping seven shots in a narrow 6-5 loss.  Goals were at a premium with Yocum patrolling the UCI net.  The Bruins, who had scored double-digit goals in 11 of their 12 previous matches, were held to nearly seven goals below their season average as Yocum turned away several scoring chances.  She made three impressive stops in the third period as UCI clung to a 4-3 lead entering the home stretch.

Of UCLA’s six goals, only three came on even-strength opportunities.  Yocum added a pair of steals in the first period to help set the tone for the game.

Others nominated: Chelsea Parks (Long Beach State); Carla Tocchini (UC Davis)