Telek Cements Her Legacy in CSUN History

Dorottya Telek has held a strong presence on the nationally-ranked CSUN women's water polo team over the past four years. CSUN's all-time top goal scorer, Telek has made a significant impact on her team as a top player and a role model.

An international water polo player, originally from Budapest, Hungary, Telek has been playing for CSUN since 2021 and has been recognized for her hard work and dedication to the team.
Dorottya Telek vs. UCD 3-7-25

One of the most decorated Matadors in school history, and in any sport, Telek has earned three All-American awards and four All-Big West selections while she is the record holder for career goals scored in CSUN history with 376 along with the most goals in a season with 104 as a senior.

"Water polo has always been part of my life," said Telek, who has played water polo since age 11. "When I was three months old, my parents put me in baby swimming, and I was allowed to go to competitions at four or five years old. Years later, I joined my brother in water polo because I was tired of swimming wall to wall."

Telek has played center with CSUN, as she described, a very physically demanding position. While playing the sport, she has received a black eye, been kicked in the stomach, and sometimes pushed down by other players' weight. However, when she used to play in Europe, it was more physical than in the United States, so she had to get used to less contact while playing in college.

Growing up, she looked up to Olympian Rita Keszthelyi, who competed in three Olympic Games and was a teammate of Telek's on her club senior water polo team. Telek described her as an amazing mentor and teammate. The hard work she saw from Keszthelyi would inspire her to put that much effort into the sport.

Playing at center, Telek's position plays a crucial part in blocking shots. Some of the skills Telek possesses as a center include having a quick reaction time, having speed, and being strong. Sometimes, she has less than a second to decide what movement or what shot she wants to execute.

She is proud of how far she has come in her career. Some of her accomplishments include making the junior national team in Hungary. At CSUN, Telek became the Matadors' all-time career goal leader last season while she has increased that record this past season, as she holds the goal record by over 140 goals from second place.

"Scoring the most career goals at CSUN shows I had to put in the hard work every season," said Telek. "And not just I had a lucky season."

Telek has also worked hard in the classroom where she has gone to become one of the top students including a multi-time academic all-conference honoree and a Big West Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

"Dodi is the type of player that comes along seldom during a coach's career, I don't think either of us thought when we met during the recruiting process that her college career would be as amazing as it's been," said head coach Matt Warshaw. "She'll leave CSUN, leaving her mark in the record books in a few different offensive categories."

Aside from her goal scoring, Telek has also been among the Matador leaders in steals, blocks and assists. Above all else, her leadership in the pool and in the locker room were immeasurable and essential in helping lead CSUN to success over her four years.

"Dodi is a born leader and has a very high water polo IQ, making her one of the best players in the whole league," said her teammate and best friend Anna Pal. "Her experience, persistence and talent make her both offensively and defensively outstanding. She would do everything to serve the team's needs, showing selflessness and motivation in all situations."
Dorottya Telek Senior Day 2025

Telek though has come far in her career, and she describes how at one point she felt like she was losing her passion for water polo.

"In my previous club in Europe it was a different coaching style, so I felt like I was in a very bad place mentally," said Telek. "I felt like I was losing my passion for water polo, which was very sad, but thankfully after I graduated high school, I got the opportunity to play in California.

"The whole culture here and mentality was so different," she added. "For the past few seasons here at CSUN, I was able to find my passion again which was huge for me."

Warshaw added, "Dodi has grown into a confident young adult outside of the pool, and she's changed so much during her time here in positive ways. Of course, I'm proud of her water polo accomplishments, but more so in the person she has become and all she has conquered outside of the pool. An outstanding student, teammate, friend and this year stepping into a mentor role to some of her younger teammates."

Along with her time in pool, Telek's favorite memories are the ones she shared with her teammates while at CSUN. Her favorite was last fall when she went to Hawaii with her teammates. They went on a private boat, snorkeled, and swam in the ocean. She describes it as a special moment, and it was a core memory she'll never forget.

"I've enjoyed playing for CSUN and being able to hang out with my teammates outside of practice," Telek added. "It makes for a better experience when you genuinely like the people you are around, and it makes every traveling experience much more fun."

Telek came to the United States with her best friend and teammate Anna Pal who she played water polo with back in her hometown.

The tandem has been a formidable combination in the pool over the last four years, not only because of their talent, but also with their familiarity with each other. Telek shared that Pal knows exactly where she wants her passes and the movements she makes on offense.

"It was amazing to play here with her, we had been best friends for five or six years, and we were playing together, so we already had a lot of chemistry playing together," she said.

In addition, the two have been roommates at CSUN and have shared their college experience together, which made moving to a different country for the first time much easier.

"Both in and outside the water we are a huge support system to each other, and it was fun going through my college years with her," said Telek. "It's the little things like if one of us is busy, we cook for the other one. We're just there for each other whenever we have to talk."
Anna Pal-Dorottya Telek 2025

Pal echoes those sediments as the experience of attending CSUN and sharing the journey with her best friend has led to amazing memories and future opportunities after college.

"I think it was one of the biggest adventures someone can have because I was not only privileged to experience a whole different culture, but I also shared these moments with my best friend," said Pal. "Water polo opened up the door for us, and I cannot be grateful enough."

In May, Telek will earn a degree in both financial analysis and marketing, further demonstrating how much success she has achieved while in college.

After college, Telek is hoping to stay in the United States and obtain an internship related to her major or perhaps return to school as a graduate student where she could possibly work in water polo.

Telek is thankful for her time at CSUN and will be remembered for her dedication, resilience and team spirit for years to come.

"I loved playing here," said Telek. "It was fun to go out there and put my 100 percent both in practice and in games, get lost in the game, and improve day by day."

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Telek Cements Her Legacy in CSUN History

Players Mentioned

Anna Pal

Dorottya Telek

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