Aztec Water Polo Trio Earn Big West Accolades
Water Polo

Aztec Water Polo Trio Earn Big West Accolades

Aztec Water Polo Trio Earn Big West AccoladesAztec Water Polo Trio Earn Big West Accolades

May 1, 2013

IRVINE, Calif. - The San Diego State water polo trio of Amber Pezzolla, Anique Hermann and Emily Whalen earned all-Big West Conference honors, the league announced Wednesday afternoon. Pezzolla was placed on the first team, while Hermann and Whalen garnered second-team and honorable mention accolades, respectively.

Pezzolla is just the second Aztec to be recognized as a four-time all-conference performer joining former four-time All-American Holly Hartzell, who accomplished the feat from 2001-04. The senior's first-team appointment comes after a season in which she led SDSU goals (71) and steals (69), and finished second on team in assists with 38. Her goal total is tied for the ninth-most in San Diego State single-season history and was the fourth-highest in the Big West.

Hermann, who completed her sophomore season, picked up her first-career postseason award. A native of San Diego, the driver had a team-best 40 assists and ranked second among her teammates in goals scored (38) and steals (61). Hermann drew a team-high 67 exclusions, which were 25 more than Pezzolla, who finished with the second-most on the team.

Whalen, meanwhile, also pocketed her first-ever postseason honor after a 2013 season in which she was one of five Aztecs to play in all 34 games (Pezzolla, Hermann, Carina Carballo, Samantha Voigt). The senior from Carmichael, produced the third-most goals (28) for SDSU, while assisting on 18 others and recording 33 steals. Additionally, the driver, along with Pezzolla and Hermann, had 11 field blocks, which was the second-highest total on the team.

The three all-league standouts are the most in a single season for SDSU since 2011 and marks the first time the Aztecs have had a first-team honoree since Holly Hartzell in 2004. This is also the first time San Diego State has had a first- and season-team performer in the same season since 1997.

SDSU is coming off its eighth-straight year of 20 or more victories after posting a 23-11 record. The 23 wins are its most since 2009 when San Diego State turned in an identical record. The Aztecs were also ranked in the top-8 nationally the entire season and twice rose to as high as No. 6.