TEMPE, Ariz. – On Tuesday morning, the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation announced that Arizona State freshman, Vanda Baksa has been named the MPSF/KAP7 Newcomer of the Week. This is the first Newcomer of the Week honor in her career and comes after leading the Sun Devils to a 3-1 weekend at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational.
Head Coach Todd Clapper spoke on this honor, "I am so proud of Vanda and all that she has accomplished in just two months. It's great to see her get recognition for what she does every day for Sun Devil Water Polo."
Her 22 point weekend was highlighted by her eight goal performance in the 16-9 win over No. 17 Indiana on Sunday– which set a program record for single-game scoring, and was the most goals by a Sun Devil since 2015. Baksa's eight goals is just one off the MPSF single-game record, and is the most in the MPSF conference in 3 years (2/2/19).
In the other three games, she notched nine goals; three coming in the loss to LBSU, two against Pomona-Pitzer, and four against UCSB. Her five assists on the weekend all came on Saturday where she tacked on three against P-P and two against UCSB.
Baksa now has 45 goals on the season which ties Luca Petovary's 45 goals for sixth most as a freshman. Her 24 assists give her 69 points on the season, which is third most in program history among freshmen. Her 69 points is second most in the NCAA, one behind 2020 Olympic gold medalist Maddie Musselman. She also tallied 10 steals on the weekend to move into 3rd in the NCAA with 27 total.
Others Nominated: Emma Lineback (UCLA), Honnie Vandeweghe-O'Shea (USC), Skylar Kidd (IU).
Head Coach Todd Clapper spoke on this honor, "I am so proud of Vanda and all that she has accomplished in just two months. It's great to see her get recognition for what she does every day for Sun Devil Water Polo."
Her 22 point weekend was highlighted by her eight goal performance in the 16-9 win over No. 17 Indiana on Sunday– which set a program record for single-game scoring, and was the most goals by a Sun Devil since 2015. Baksa's eight goals is just one off the MPSF single-game record, and is the most in the MPSF conference in 3 years (2/2/19).
Welcome to the record books, @VandaBaksa ??
— Sun Devil Water Polo (@SunDevilWP) February 28, 2022
Her 8?? goals against IU yesterday set the new program single-game scoring record?? pic.twitter.com/jIwmPtLT06
In the other three games, she notched nine goals; three coming in the loss to LBSU, two against Pomona-Pitzer, and four against UCSB. Her five assists on the weekend all came on Saturday where she tacked on three against P-P and two against UCSB.
Baksa now has 45 goals on the season which ties Luca Petovary's 45 goals for sixth most as a freshman. Her 24 assists give her 69 points on the season, which is third most in program history among freshmen. Her 69 points is second most in the NCAA, one behind 2020 Olympic gold medalist Maddie Musselman. She also tallied 10 steals on the weekend to move into 3rd in the NCAA with 27 total.
Others Nominated: Emma Lineback (UCLA), Honnie Vandeweghe-O'Shea (USC), Skylar Kidd (IU).