University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa freshman attacker Bia Mantellato Dias was named the Big West Water Polo Player of the Week after leading the Rainbow Wahine to a pair of dramatic home wins, March 25–26. It is the second time this season she earned the honor.
Mantellato Dias tallied seven goals and added an assist, two steals and eight exclusions drawn as UH defeated No. 9 Long Beach State and upset No. 3 California. Matellato Dias netted four goals in the win over Long Beach to help move UH to 3-0 in conference. She scored three of those goals in the first nine minutes of action to help UH to a 9-7 win.
She followed that performance scoring three goals in UH’s thrilling 9-8 double-overtime win over California. She scored a goal with just five seconds left in overtime to force another extra period. UH won on goalkeeper Bridget Layburn’s buzzer-beating empty net score in double-overtime.
Dias currently leads the team in numerous categories, including goals (58), shots (107) and shooting percentage (.542). She has also added seven assists and 10 steals on the year.
