UCLA Men's Water Polo Will Face California Baptist
The Bruins host California Baptist at the Spieker Aquatics Center this Saturday evening.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Swimming
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UCLA men's water polo team will host California Baptist on Saturday, October 10, 2026. The Bruins currently hold a 15-1 overall record and are looking to maintain momentum after a recent victory against California.
Why it matters
The match offers UCLA an opportunity to solidify its standing before heading into a matchup against USC the following weekend. California Baptist will attempt to break a historical losing streak against the Bruins that dates back to 2003.
UCLA maintains a 15-1 record, while California Baptist enters the contest with a 19-4 mark. California Baptist player Rafa Martinez leads the team with 48 goals scored this season.
The players
Ryder Dodd
He is a key offensive contributor for the UCLA men's water polo team who scored five goals in a recent win against California.
Rafa Martinez
He is a standout player for California Baptist who has recorded 48 goals so far this season.
The details
UCLA heads into this matchup following a 13-11 win over California on October 4, where Ryder Dodd scored five goals. The Bruins defense held California to a 33.3% shooting percentage during that contest, a marked improvement from their October 3 loss to Stanford.
Timeline
UCLA first played California this season on Sept. 19, 2026.
California Baptist last lost to Fordham on Sept. 28, 2026.
Stanford defeated UCLA on Oct. 3, 2026.
UCLA defeated California on Oct. 4, 2026.
UCLA will play California Baptist on Oct. 10, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This match functions as a critical test for UCLA as the program prepares for a high-stakes encounter against USC next weekend. A win would keep the Bruins on track for a strong finish in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation standings.
The Bruins look to improve upon their 1-1 MPSF record before facing conference rival USC next week. Fans should monitor if UCLA can sustain the defensive intensity that limited California to 33.3% shooting in their last outing.
The takeaway
Maintaining shooting accuracy will be paramount for UCLA after they struggled to convert at a 44.1% clip against Stanford. California Baptist must overcome significant historical performance gaps to remain competitive against the Bruins.
What happens next
UCLA is scheduled to face USC the weekend following their October 10 match against California Baptist.
Further reading
For more on local aquatic sports, visit the Swimming section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Bruin.
Live Poll
Would you attend a local university water polo match to support the team's rebuilding efforts?
