• UC San Diego junior Ciara Franke earned Big West Women’s Water Polo Player of the Week accolades after two stellar performances against top five opponents at the UCSB Winter Invite.

• Franke scored a combined eight goals against No. 2 UCLA and No. 4 California, helping the Tritons to a 3-1 tournament record.

• She tied her career high with five goals in a 14-13, triple overtime victory over the Bears. It was UC San Diego’s first victory against California, and the program’s first over a top five team since 2014 when the Tritons defeated No. 5 Arizona State, 12-11.

• Her final goal against California was the game-winner.

• Franke had a hat trick in the season opener against the Bruins as the Tritons pushed for the upset in a narrow 8-6 defeat.  

• The center also produced an assist and a steal in a 19-8 victory over Iona College.

Others nominated: Tori Wilson (CSUN); Noelle Wijnbelt (UC Davis); Megan Falcon (UC Irvine); Kenzi Snyder (UC Santa Barbara); Lalelei Mata’afa (Hawai‘i)