Following a tournament sweep, the Bruins will face the opportunity to continue their perfect season.

No. 1 UCLA men’s water polo (4-0) is set for competition this week as it faces off against No. 9 UC Irvine (2-2) at Anteater Aquatics Complex on Friday. The team heads into the non-conference matchup holding an 82-60-1 all-time record against UC Irvine.

Last season, the Bruins defeated the Anteaters twice, securing a 21-15 victory at the Triton Invitational on Sept. 3 and a 13-8 win at home on Nov. 3.

“We’re going to see their best shot, and put all of our focus towards them,” coach Adam Wright said. “The reality is we have to see them out here this weekend, and they’re really good, and we have to be ready at their place.”

UCLA’s start to the 2024 season began at the Triton Invitational, where the top-ranked Bruins went 4-0. This year’s roster is further bolstered by the return of four of five All-Americans from the 2023 season, as well as an additional All-American from 2022. Olympian attacker Chase Dodd – who scored 39 goals in 2022 – has returned for his junior season joined by five graduate students: attackers Jack Larsen and Makoto Kenney, goalkeeper Garret Griggs and centers Aaron Voggenthaler and Nico Tierney.

Voggenthaler said the returning talent offers a different vision for the new year.

“I’m really excited to be a part of this team that has a great amount of depth,” Voggenthaler said. “Each game is a great opportunity for ourselves, as a group, to grow no matter who the team is, and it’s important to bring the level of play for each match.”

In addition to its All-American returnees, UCLA has brought back seven of the nine players who earned Delfina All-MPSF West honors last season. While the team will miss the contributions of stand out players such as attacker Rafael Real Vergara and Second-Team All-MPSF selection utility Giorgio Alessandria, who graduated following the 2024 season, the team’s roster still maintains veteran status.

The Bruins kicked off their last tournament appearance with a 13-7 win over No. 11 UC Santa Barbara, followed by a 26-7 victory against Concordia University Irvine. On day two, UCLA defeated RV Pomona-Pitzer 24-4 before concluding the weekend with a 15-7 win over No. 12 UC San Diego.

Freshman utility Bode Brinkema said that high-scoring games have given many players on the team the chance to perfect what they have been practicing.

“We treat every team the same, and we’re ready to go… every game,” Brinkema said. “We’ve had games in practice – and practicing with all the guys is great – but really being able to compete with the whole team is a great feeling.”

Following their match-up against Irvine, the Bruins will return home for their first home match of the season. Five games into the season, Wright said the start has been nothing short of positive.

“We have to be focused on the things that we’re in control of,” Wright said. “It’s a great weekend, because there’s just so many learning points, so overall, it was very positive, and there’s a lot to digest, as far as the team, and that’s a good thing because that’s how you grow.”