DAVIS, Calif. — After a standout run at the Big West Tournament, UC Davis men's water polo placed five student-athletes on the Big West All-Conference teams, including one First Team honoree, three Second Team selections, and one All-Freshman Team pick.
Thomas Kiesling - First Team All-Big West
After landing on the conference's All-Freshman team and Honorable Mention a year ago, Kiesling has taken a big step up for the Aggies in 2025, leading the team in goals (63) and total points (75), while picking up 15 steals and seven field blocks.
In addition to scoring 10 hat tricks throughout the season, Kiesling has also scored five or more goals five different times, including a career-high seven goals in a matchup with Loyola Marymount on Oct. 4. Among Big West attackers, Kiesling's 63 scores rank third.
Baxter Chelsom - Second Team All-Big West
In his first season as the Aggies' primary goalkeeper, Chelsom has made the most of his opportunity, leading the conference in saves (222) and steals (41) while logging over 750 minutes in the cage.
Through his team's three games at the Big West Tournament, Chelsom served as the defensive anchor, collecting 27 saves throughout the weekend while playing nearly every minute in goal. His efforts were well-rewarded, as he was named the Big West Tournament MVP following a championship win over Long Beach State.
Andrew Hitchcock - Second Team All-Big West
A consistent four-year player for UC Davis, Hitchcock has had his best year as an Aggie in 2025, ranking third on the team with 32 goals on an efficient .457 shooting percentage.
With two hat tricks on the year, along with 11 multi-goal games, Hitchcock set a new career-high in a home game against Cal State Fullerton on Friday, Oct. 17, leading his team with five goals in a dominant victory.
Oleg Shatskikh - Second Team All-Big West
In just his second season with the Aggies, Shatskikh has been a dangerous offensive threat for the team, coming in second on the team with 42 goals, six hat tricks, and 32 assists for 74 total points.
Against Pepperdine in the first round of the MPSF Invitational on Sept. 19, he set a new career-high with five goals on nine shots for a .556 shooting percentage. In a Big West Semifinal matchup with UC Santa Barbara on Nov. 22, he led the team with four scores.
Oriol Viñas - Big West All-Freshman Team
Joining the Aggies this summer from Barcelona, Spain, Viñas has made an immediate impact for his team, scoring 22 goals while tying for a team-high 35 assists for 57 points.
In the championship round of the Big West Tournament against Long Beach State, Viñas was instrumental in a win over the Beach with two goals and four assists for six points on the afternoon. He also had three steals and two field blocks in an Aggies victory that sent the team to the NCAA Tournament.
UP NEXT
The Aggies prepare for the first round of the NCAA Tournament in their third matchup of the season with the No. 3-seeded Stanford Cardinal. The game will be on Friday, Dec. 5, at 6:00 p.m. PT and will be streamed live on NCAA.com.
