Valera Repeats As MPSF Newcomer Of The Week

Cal freshman Roberto Valera has been named the MPSF Men's Water Polo Newcomer of the Week for the second straight week, the conference office announced Monday.

Valera played a big part in helping the No. 3 Bears reach the championship match of the MPSF Invitational last weekend in Berkeley, totaling eight goals, five assists and four steals as Cal knocked off three ranked opponents, including No. 1 UCLA. The Bears also defeated No. 18 Pomona-Pitzer and No. 6 Long Beach State before falling to No. 2 USC 12-11 in the title match.

Valera registered a hat trick against both Pomona-Pitzer and Long Beach St, while also contributing two goals and an assist in the championship game. He has 16 goals and 11 assists in eight games this season.

The Bears now have captured four weekly honors from the MPSF this season. In addition to Valera's recognition, Nikolaos Papanikolaou and Jack Deely each were named MPSF Player of the Week.

Cal (13-1) travels to Southern California this weekend to take on No. 13 UC Irvine on Saturday and No. 12 Pepperdine on Sunday.