McKenna Mitchell (Santa Ana, Calif./Foothill HS) scored at least one goal against four consecutive national ranked opponents to earn the UC Irvine sophomore Big West Women’s Water Polo Player of the Week accolades.

Mitchell helped the Anteaters forge a 2-2 split at the loaded Stanford Invitational with eight goals for the tournament.  She had a goal and an earned exclusion in the tourney-opening 9-4 victory over reigning Big West Tournament champion and No. 6-ranked Hawai‘i.

The center exploded for four goals and earned two exclusions in an 11-4 triumph over another Big West rival in No. 18 UC Davis, entrenching the Anteaters in the winner’s bracket and setting up a showdown with the host and second-ranked Cardinal.

Mitchell notched two goals against Stanford in a hard fought battle that eventually saw the ‘Eaters drop a 13-9 decision.  She concluded the tournament with one goal against No. 4 Cal in a 12-6 loss.

For the week, Mitchell earned six exclusions to go along with her eight goals for No. 5 UCI.

Others nominated: Lindsy Duncan (Cal State Northridge)