Rossi, Vickers, Klatt earn foremost Big West honors

Senior Gianna Rossi, who led the UC Irvine women’s water polo team to the inaugural Big West Conference Tournament title, as well as a share of the conference regular-season crown, has been named Big West Player of the Year.

Rossi, a center whose 67 goals this season are a school single-season record, is joined on the first team by senior teammate Julia Fancher.

UCI goalie Morgan Vickers, a Newport Harbor High product, is Co-Freshman of the Year, while the Anteaters’ Dan Klatt is Coach of the Year.

Senior utility player Ashling Taylor, another Newport Harbor product, and junior center Kat Plummer represent UCI on the second team.

Corona del Mar High product Ashley Chandler, a junior defender at UC Davis, is also a second-team honoree.

Rossi scored six goals in three conference tournament victories to earn Most Valuable Player honors in the event, completed Sunday at the University of the Pacific. Her 192 career goals rank No. 3 in UCI annals.

Fancher scored 49 goals this season, in which UCI finished 23-9 to establish a record for victories in a season.

Vickers, who began the season sharing time in goal, finished with 110 saves. UCI was 7-0 against Big West foes when Vickers played the entire game. She also had 15 assists and 10 steals.

Klatt, in his fifth season, helped UCI rank as high as No. 8 nationally.

The Anteaters also produced a school-record 314 goals during this season.

UCI sophomore driver Cortney Collyer received honorable mention.

— From staff reports