UC Santa Barbara senior Lauren Martin (Fresno, Calif./Clovis West HS) provided the clutch contributions to help her team finish 3-1 at the Michigan Invitational, garnering Big West Women’s Water Polo Player of the Week accolades.
Martin scored a team-leading eight goals, and did most of her damage in UCSB’s first two matches of the tournament, both resulting in overtime victories. She had a hat trick against No. 17 Hartwick, and registered the game-winner in sudden death for the 15-14 triumph.
The center struck for four more goals to lead the Gauchos to another overtime win, 13-11, against No. 12 Pacific. She notched UCSB’s first goal in overtime, and got the team off to a strong start with the game’s opening two scores. It was Martin’s second four-goal effort of the young season.
Martin added her eighth and final goal of the tournament in a 9-8 victory over No. 15 San Diego State.
In addition, she drew a team-high seven earned ejections and six steals through the weekend. Martin tallied her eight goals on .533 shooting.
Others nominated: Madeleine Sanchez (CSUN)