Fresno Pacific University men’s water polo players Tristin Fox and Chase Hammes were named Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week by the Western Water Polo Association following their performances at the Salem Invitational hosted by Salem University.
The Sunbirds secured their first two wins of the 2026 season at the tournament, narrowly defeating Salem University 18-17 on September 11 and rallying to top No. 22-ranked Gannon 13-12 on September 13.
Junior center Tristin Fox, from Troutdale, Oregon, led the offense with 20 goals in four matches, scoring at least four goals in every game. He highlighted his weekend with a season-high six goals against Gannon, shooting .571 from the field and drawing 11 exclusions. Fox currently leads the WWPA with 34 total goals and an average of 3.8 goals per game.
Senior goalkeeper Chase Hammes, from Sanger, California, anchored the defense with 49 saves and 14 steals over the four matches. Hammes had a season-best 17 saves in the victory over Gannon and led the conference with 28 steals, ranking second in saves with 97 on the season.
CSB Take
The recognition of Tristin Fox and Chase Hammes underscores Fresno Pacific men’s water polo’s early-season momentum within the competitive WWPA. Fox’s offensive firepower combined with Hammes’ defensive leadership creates a strong foundation for the Sunbirds. Sustaining this balanced performance will be critical for Fresno Pacific as they continue their conference schedule against strong opponents.
Source: Original report
