Water Polo Trio Represent Their Countries in the Pool
9/19/2023 3:10:00 PM | Women's Water Polo
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---Over the offseason, three members of the CSUN Water Polo team had an opportunity to represent their respective countries in international competition.
Returner Valeria Martinez competed with Mexico while newcomers Samantha Bright and Kianna Melvin, represented New Zealand and Zimbabwe, respectively, in hopes of furthering their water polo careers.
"I am very proud of our student-athletes who have capitalized on their opportunities to represent their countries," said head coach Matt Warshaw. "It's a special thing when you can wear the flag of your home country and compete in the sport you love. We know when they return to the Matadors, they'll only be stronger and better for having gained this invaluable experience."
A two-year letterwinner, Martinez has been a mainstay in the Matador lineup in her collegiate career. This past season, Martinez ranked third on the team with a career-best 32 steals while she was sixth in points at 25.
Martinez had a busy summer competing in Mexico. Representing her family's state of Jalisco, Martinez competed at the Nacionales Conade where she participated in a tournament in Aguascalientes and helped her team finish in first place. Her work in the pool would lead to a placement in the pre-selection group for the Mexican National Team. In September, she is training with the national squad in hopes of receiving a selection to compete at the 2023 Pan American Games in October.
An incoming goalkeeper, Bright lettered the past two seasons at Mount Saint Mary's where she recorded 302 total saves. Bright was also a MAAC Defensive Player of the Week this past season.
Originally from Auckland, New Zealand, Bright represented her native country as a member of the New Zealand Senior Women's Team and competed at the World Aquatic Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Her selection on the senior women's team was the first of her water polo career. Previously, she had participated in the Senior Women's Development squad and seen competition in age groups. As a member of the Senior Development team, she has the opportunity to be selected for the World Championships held in Doha, Qatar. From there, New Zealand will have the opportunity to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Playing in international competition runs in the Bright family as her mother Barbara competed in five Summer Olympics in windsurfing winning several medals including gold.
Melvin, another newcomer to CSUN, played at utility for West Valley College over the past two seasons. In 2021, Melvin helped West Valley to a state championship, scoring 95 goals including picking up a game saving field block in the final seconds. She earned a pair of All-American honors while at West Valley and totaled 180 goals.
Melvin is originally from Harare, Zimbabwe. She had an opportunity to return to her home country this summer where earned a spot on the women's national team. Melvin trained with the national squad, but her summer tournament was canceled. No stranger to international competition, Melvin played for the national squad from ages 13-18 before returning to the team this past summer.
#GoMatadors
Â
Returner Valeria Martinez competed with Mexico while newcomers Samantha Bright and Kianna Melvin, represented New Zealand and Zimbabwe, respectively, in hopes of furthering their water polo careers.
"I am very proud of our student-athletes who have capitalized on their opportunities to represent their countries," said head coach Matt Warshaw. "It's a special thing when you can wear the flag of your home country and compete in the sport you love. We know when they return to the Matadors, they'll only be stronger and better for having gained this invaluable experience."
A two-year letterwinner, Martinez has been a mainstay in the Matador lineup in her collegiate career. This past season, Martinez ranked third on the team with a career-best 32 steals while she was sixth in points at 25.
Martinez had a busy summer competing in Mexico. Representing her family's state of Jalisco, Martinez competed at the Nacionales Conade where she participated in a tournament in Aguascalientes and helped her team finish in first place. Her work in the pool would lead to a placement in the pre-selection group for the Mexican National Team. In September, she is training with the national squad in hopes of receiving a selection to compete at the 2023 Pan American Games in October.
An incoming goalkeeper, Bright lettered the past two seasons at Mount Saint Mary's where she recorded 302 total saves. Bright was also a MAAC Defensive Player of the Week this past season.
Originally from Auckland, New Zealand, Bright represented her native country as a member of the New Zealand Senior Women's Team and competed at the World Aquatic Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Her selection on the senior women's team was the first of her water polo career. Previously, she had participated in the Senior Women's Development squad and seen competition in age groups. As a member of the Senior Development team, she has the opportunity to be selected for the World Championships held in Doha, Qatar. From there, New Zealand will have the opportunity to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Playing in international competition runs in the Bright family as her mother Barbara competed in five Summer Olympics in windsurfing winning several medals including gold.
Melvin, another newcomer to CSUN, played at utility for West Valley College over the past two seasons. In 2021, Melvin helped West Valley to a state championship, scoring 95 goals including picking up a game saving field block in the final seconds. She earned a pair of All-American honors while at West Valley and totaled 180 goals.
Melvin is originally from Harare, Zimbabwe. She had an opportunity to return to her home country this summer where earned a spot on the women's national team. Melvin trained with the national squad, but her summer tournament was canceled. No stranger to international competition, Melvin played for the national squad from ages 13-18 before returning to the team this past summer.
#GoMatadors
Â
Players Mentioned
Utility
/ Women's Water PoloA Conversation With Matt Warshaw
Friday, May 15
National Student-Athlete Day 2019 - McKenzie Beardsley
Friday, April 05
CSUN Water Polo Report
Friday, February 10
Meet the Matadors - 2017 Women's Water Polo
Wednesday, January 18