EDISON, NJ – Siena Water Polo saw a pair of players take home MAAC weekly honors for the first time in their collegiate careers, the conference announced Wednesday afternoon. Sophomore utility Georgia Vargas was named the Offensive Player of the Week, while freshman Danni Croteau earned Rookie of the Week honors.
"Both of these players are underclassmen on a strong, youthful roster," Head Coach Alex Williams said. "They have been critical components of guiding our program towards success."
Leading the Saints to a 4-0 weekend at the Mercyhurst Invitational in Erie, PA, Vargas recorded 14 goals and nine assists for a total of 23 points. The Whittier, California native has a pair of hat tricks, including a six-goal performance in the team's overtime win over McKendree on Sunday. Vargas also contributed three field blocks, seven steals and drew four exclusions.
"We are very proud of Georgia's recognition as MAAC Player of the Week," Williams added. "She affected every positive stat column and was the clear leader in the water during our tournament sweep."
Competing in her second collegiate tournament last weekend, Croteau netted 11 goals and added an assist for 12 total points. The San Diego, CA product logged hat tricks in each of the first two games of the weekend, and also drew four exclusions and logged three steals.
"Danni has stepped up since day one as a freshman and has not been the least bit hesitant in her transition to the college game," Williams continued. "She constantly focuses on improvement every day in practice and will be a force to be reckoned with all season long."
The awards mark the first for the Saints this season, the first won in either category since 2018 and the first time since February 14, 2018 that the squad has taken home multiple honors in the same week. Siena is currently on it's longest winning streak since 2015, and on its's best start through eight games (5-3) since 2007.
The Saints are back in action this weekend at the Courtney Fisher Invitational in Poughkeepsie, NY on February 22, with contest slated against LIU and Saint Francis Brooklyn.
