SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Taylor Smith of UCLA women's water polo was named MPSF/Delfina Player of the Week Tuesday after leading her team to the Triton Invitational championship. The senior attacker from Newport Beach, Calif. led the Bruins with 16 total points across four games.
Of Smith's 16 points, 15 were goals. She opened play with a hat trick against Cal State Fullerton (Jan. 30). Smith then piled up a career-high six goals to help third-ranked UCLA defeat No. 6 Arizona State 15-8 before tacking on another the same day versus No. 5 Hawai'i (Jan. 31).
The Bruins completed their run with a 12-9 upset of No. 2 USC in which Smith collected five more goals and assisted on another (Feb. 1). Over the three day-tournament, Smith added three steals, one field block and won five of six sprints.
Smith has now won three MPSF Player of the Week awards in her career, also winning one in 2025 and another in 2024. She also earned a pair of Newcomer of the Week honors in 2023.
Others nominated: Despoina Drakotou (CAL), Darcy Spark (SJSU), Emily Ausmus (USC), Nicole Tyner (IND).
Of Smith's 16 points, 15 were goals. She opened play with a hat trick against Cal State Fullerton (Jan. 30). Smith then piled up a career-high six goals to help third-ranked UCLA defeat No. 6 Arizona State 15-8 before tacking on another the same day versus No. 5 Hawai'i (Jan. 31).
The Bruins completed their run with a 12-9 upset of No. 2 USC in which Smith collected five more goals and assisted on another (Feb. 1). Over the three day-tournament, Smith added three steals, one field block and won five of six sprints.
Smith has now won three MPSF Player of the Week awards in her career, also winning one in 2025 and another in 2024. She also earned a pair of Newcomer of the Week honors in 2023.
Others nominated: Despoina Drakotou (CAL), Darcy Spark (SJSU), Emily Ausmus (USC), Nicole Tyner (IND).