Kezman, Garcia, Trinh Named All-Americans

Kezman, Garcia, Trinh Named All-Americans

LA VERNE, CA — Shelby Garcia, Jassmine Kezman, and Nancy Trinh have been tabbed All-Americans the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches announced on Wednesday.

Garcia and Kezman both earned first-team recognition and Trinh was named an honorable mention.

Complete All-American List

It is the second All-American award for Garcia and first first-team recognition for the senior. Garcia earned All-American Honorable Mention accolades as a sophomore. The goalie was having the best year of her career when the season was abruptly halted. Garcia posted an 8-4 record in the cage with three of the losses coming to top-20 ranked Long Beach St., Cal State Northridge, and San Diego State and was undefeated against NCAA Division III competition.

Garcia earned SCIAC Women's Water Polo Defensive Athlete of the Week recognition three times in the shortened season. She picked up her first award after grabbing eight saves in a 13-12 sudden victory overtime win over Fresno Pacific that included a big save on the Sunbirds' opening possession of the golden goal period. Her second SCIAC Athlete of the Week distinction came when she led the Leopards with 23 saves in a 4-0 week in Minnesota. She earned her last conference award in the Leopards' season finale and SCIAC home opener when she recorded six saves in a 17-4 dismantling of Chapman. In total, Garcia earned five SCIAC Defensive Athlete of the Week honors in her career.

Garcia led the SCIAC with 85 saves and added five assists, six steals, and one goal.

"Shelby was in the midst of having a dominant senior campaign," said University of La Verne Head Water Polo Coach Pat Beemer. "She was dominant in the cage for us and was on track to shatter wins and saves records."

Kezman picks up All-American honors for the third straight season. The junior earned first-team recognition as a freshman and made the second team last season. Kezman led the SCIAC with 54 points and 40 goals and added 16 steals, 10 assists, and 15 drawn exclusions. 

Kezman made her biggest impact in the overtime win against Fresno Pacific when she dished out two assists and netted four goals including the game-winner. Her best scoring performance came in the SCIAC opener at Redlands when she scored a career-high seven goals on just eight attempts to give the Leopards the 10-6 win. She added another overtime-winning goal against Villanova when she scored a five-meter penalty with just over two minutes remaining to give the Leopards a 10-9 victory over the Wildcats. 

"Kezman has been a regular on the All-American list the past three years for a reason," said Beemer. "She's a multidimensional player who is a stalwart on defense and difficult to contain on offense."

Trinh had an outstanding season in her debut year with the Leopards. She ranked second on La Verne's squad with 24 goals and 17 drawn exclusions to go with two assists and nine steals. She earned SCIAC Women's Water Polo Offensive Athlete of the Week recognition after finishing with 11 goals, six steals, six drawn exclusions, and one assist in four wins at the Macalester Invitational.

Her best statistical game came in the Leopards' second match-up against Macalester when she scored six times and added two steals. She also netted three goals in wins over Fresno Pacific, Macalester, and Villanova.

"Nancy made an immediate impact on the program as a freshman. She earned the respect of defenses immediately with her ability to score and earn exclusions at center," said Beemer.

The Leopards finished the abbreviated season 10-5 overall, 2-0 in SCIAC play, and undefeated against Division III competition.

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Three @ulvwaterpolo All-Americans! Shelby and Kez pick up 1st team honors and Nancy earns honorable mention! #GoLeos #ncaawpolo

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