IRVINE, Calif. — UC Santa Barbara's Madison Walker was named The Big West Women's Water Polo Player of the Week on Wednesday, the first such honor in the sophomore goalie's already stellar Gaucho career.
 
The 2023 Big West Freshman Team member and UC Santa Barbara Rookie of the Year racked up 24 saves to just 18 goals allowed in Santa Barbara's two games over the weekend, moving her up into second place on The Big West saves leaderboard this year. The Davis native made 11 stops to help the Gauchos earn a 7-5 win over the Aggies in her hometown on Saturday, then posted 13 in Santa Barbara's overtime thriller at San Jose State on Sunday.
 
Along with her 142 saves on the season, Walker currently holds the best goals-against average in The Big West, 8.27, having played in twice as many games as the next-best goalie in the conference. She has allowed eight or fewer goals in 14 of her 20 starts this season.
 
Walker and the Gauchos return to Santa Barbara this weekend, hosting No. 10 Long Beach State on Saturday, March 9 at 12 p.m. at Santa Barbara High School. Admission is free and open until the venue's capacity is reached. For fans following from afar, live stats will be available through ucsbgauchos.com.