USAFA, Colo. – For the second time in three seasons,the San José State Spartans are the West coast Conference Men’s Water Polo Tournament Champions,defeating No. 5 California Baptist, 15-9, Sunday afternoon at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Cadet Natatorium.
With the win, San Jose State has secured the West Coast Conference‘s automatic qualification to the NCAA Tournament.
Your 2025 West Coast Conference Men’s Water Polo Tournament Champions,@SJSUAthletics??#WeRiseintheWest x @signaturerings pic.twitter.com/JFhqEIucTp
– West Coast Conference (@WCCsports) November 23, 2025
the Spartans are a powerful blend of offense and defense, earning a no. 9 national ranking and a share of the conference regular season title. SJSU was the second seed in the West Coast Conference Men’s Water Polo Tournament, downing host Air Force in the opening round and outlasting No. 3 Pepperdine in an overtime thriller in Saturday’s semifinal round.
San Jose State and California Baptist were locked in a battle throughout the first half as each team found the back of the cage four times through the opening minutes of the second period.The Spartans scored five of the final seven goals of the period to take a 9-6 lead into the half.
Lancers’ Michael Abshier led CBU with two goals in the first half, but the offensive and defensive force of San José State was just too much in the 7,258 altitude at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Brendon Gyapjas, the West Coast Conference Player of the Year, led the way for San josé State in the tournament as well. The junior goalkeeper earned Tournament moast Outstanding Player honors. In the tournament championship game, Gypajas was an unstoppable force from the cage, collecting 16 saves and allowing CBU just three goals in the second half. Gyapjas limited the Lancers to just a .231 shot percentage and a game-leading three steals. The Spartans as a team collected six steals.
San José State Spartans Claim 2025 West Coast Conference Men’s Water Polo Tournament Title
SAN JOSÉ, Calif. – The San José State Spartans defeated California Baptist University (CBU) 16-9 on november 23, 2025, to win the West Coast Conference (WCC) Men’s Water Polo Tournament championship.The victory secures the Spartans their sixth NCAA Tournament appearance, their first as 2023. The tournament final was held at the Woollett Aquatics Center in San José.
Mateja Bosic led the Spartans with five goals, scored on just six shots. He was a dominant offensive force from the opening minutes and throughout the game, with four of his goals coming in the second half. His fifth goal at the 3:27 mark of the fourth period extended San José State’s lead to seven,their largest of the match.
Samu Biros also contributed considerably to the Spartans’ win, scoring four goals in the championship game and a total of ten goals throughout the tournament. A tweet from the West Coast Conference highlighted Biros’s fourth goal, giving San José State a 13-8 lead heading into the fourth period.
Whitley beamon and Wyatt Bugbee each scored two goals for CBU, leading the Lancers in the contest.
Bosic’s performance throughout the tournament was record-breaking. He finished with 12 total goals over the three games, surpassing his previous tournament record of eight set in 2023. He also broke the tournament record for points,finishing with 16.
Tournament Honors:
* Most Outstanding Player: Brendon Gyapjas, San José State
* All-Tournament Team:
* Samu Biros, San José State
* Mateja Bosic, San José State
* Sandor Gal, pepperdine
* Apostolos Georgaras, Pacific
* Brendon Gyapjas, San José State
* Andrea Nuzzo, California Baptist
* Alex Righetti, California baptist
The Spartans will await their NCAA Tournament seed and opening-round opponent during the NCAA selection show on Monday, November 24, at 9:00 a.m. PT on NCAA.com. The NCAA Tournament will be held at stanford University from December 5-7.
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