LOS ANGELES — Loyola Marymount University men’s water polo earned unprecedented recognition in the 2025 West Coast Conference awards, claiming four all-conference selections including the league’s Newcomer of the Year honor.
Historic Achievement for Lions Program
LMU became the only school with two members on the All-WCC First Team, highlighting the program’s dominance in its third season of conference competition. The West Coast Conference announced the awards as teams prepare for the conference tournament hosted by the United States Air Force Academy.
Graduate student Alika Naone captured WCC Newcomer of the Year honors, becoming LMU’s first major award winner since the conference began sponsoring men’s water polo ahead of the 2023 season. Naone joined the Lions for his final season of eligibility and made an immediate impact across multiple statistical categories.
Naone’s Standout Season
The newcomer award winner finished the regular season with impressive numbers: 51 goals, 29 assists, 80 points, 14 steals, and 20 sprint wins that ranked fifth in the conference. Naone also earned Honorable Mention All-WCC recognition, acknowledging his contributions beyond the major award.
His ability to contribute in transition and create offensive opportunities distinguished Naone as one of the conference’s most complete players despite being new to the LMU program.
Baldineti Returns to First Team
Tommaso Baldineti earned First Team All-WCC honors for the second time in his career, returning to the conference’s top tier after injury forced him to miss most of the 2024 campaign. The graduate student demonstrated he had fully recovered by posting elite production numbers.
Baldineti ranked sixth in the WCC with 65 goals while finishing second in assists with 57, fourth in points with 122, and tied for fourth in steals with 30. His two-way contributions on both offense and defense established him as one of the conference’s premier players.
Romero Corbalan Earns Promotion
Junior Abel Romero Corbalan moved up from the 2024 All-WCC Second Team to first team status after elevating his performance this season. Romero Corbalan ranked seventh in the conference with 59 goals and demonstrated playmaking ability with 83 assists, second on the Lions.
His 18 steals showed defensive commitment while his assist totals revealed court vision and willingness to create opportunities for teammates. The first team selection validates Romero Corbalan’s development into an elite conference performer.
Barics Earns Honorable Mention
Sophomore Bence Barics received his first conference postseason recognition with inclusion on the All-WCC Honorable Mention Team. Playing the center position, Barics scored 19 goals with six assists for 25 points while leading LMU with 39 drawn exclusions.
His ability to draw ejections created numerous power-play opportunities for the Lions, contributing to offensive success beyond his personal scoring statistics. The recognition highlights Barics’ importance to LMU’s tactical approach.
Conference Award Winners Announced
San José State’s Brendon Gyapjas claimed Player of the Year honors, while Pacific’s James Graham earned Coach of the Year recognition. Pacific freshman Apostolos Georgaras took Freshman of the Year honors and also made the All-Conference First Team, demonstrating immediate impact.
The All-Conference First Team featured representatives from six schools, with Pacific’s Georgaras joining LMU’s duo of Baldineti and Romero Corbalan among the conference elite. Santa Clara’s Riccardo De Simon, Air Force’s Tom Leggett, and California Baptist’s Andrea Nuzzo completed the first team selections.
Tournament Preparation Begins
The Lions now shift focus to the West Coast Conference Men’s Water Polo Tournament, where they earned the No. 4 seed. LMU will face No. 5 California Baptist on Friday, November 21, at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time at the Cadet Natatorium on the Air Force Academy campus.
The single-elimination tournament features all seven conference members competing for the automatic NCAA Championship berth. Games will stream on ESPN+ throughout the three-day event.
Tournament Logistics and Schedule
Visitors to the Air Force Academy must apply for base access in advance, with approval messages required at base gates. Parking is free in the East Lot near the Falcon Athletic Center or Cadet Fieldhouse, with the Cadet Gymnasium entrance located by outdoor tennis courts west of the Falcon Athletic Center.
Saturday’s Air Force football game may cause delays at base gates, requiring attendees to plan extra travel time. The single base access approval remains valid for the entire tournament weekend.
The tournament bracket features No. 2 San José State facing No. 7 Air Force at noon Friday, followed by No. 3 Pepperdine against No. 6 Santa Clara at 2:00 p.m. Top-seeded Pacific receives a bye to Saturday’s 3:00 p.m. semifinal against the winner of LMU versus California Baptist.
Championship Implications
The conference tournament winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Water Polo Championship, making these games crucial for postseason advancement. LMU’s quartet of all-conference selections provides the Lions with proven performers capable of elevating their games under tournament pressure.
With two first-team selections and the conference’s top newcomer leading the roster, LMU enters the tournament with legitimate championship aspirations and the talent to compete with any conference opponent.
