Katherine O’Dea, a freshman attacker on the UCLA women’s water polo team, has been named MPSF/S&R Sport Newcomer of the Week. This is her first time receiving the honor, according to an announcement from the conference.
O’Dea contributed three goals as UCLA secured home victories over No. 8 Indiana and No. 12 Michigan on February 27 and 28, respectively. With these wins, UCLA’s record improved to 12-1 ahead of their upcoming league match against top-ranked Stanford.
In the game against Indiana, eleven Bruins scored in an 18-7 win. O’Dea made two steals in the first half and added a goal in the fourth quarter. Against Michigan, she scored twice during the first half—her second goal gave UCLA a 7-5 lead at halftime—and also recorded three assists and one steal.
This marks UCLA’s second weekly award for women’s water polo in 2026. Earlier this year, Taylor Smith was selected as MPSF/Delfina Player of the Week following her performance at the Triton Invitational.
Other nominees for this week’s newcomer award included Despoina Drakotou from California and Natalia Blazevic from USC.
