IRVINE, Calif. – The UC Irvine men's water polo team is ready to jump into action Sept. 3-4 at the Triton Invitational to kick off the 2022 season.

The Anteaters will first face the Bulldogs from the University of the Redlands on Sept. 3 at 10:40 a.m. and will play one more game at 3 p.m., with the opponent to be announced. UC Irvine will compete in two more games on Sept. 4 with opponents and times to be announced.

With insight from head coach Dan Klatt, here are six key points to watch out for in 2022.
 
SIX THINGS TO WATCH IN 2022

1. RETURNING TALENT
The Anteaters return 19 players from the 2021 season. Sophomore standout Tyler Padua takes a spot in the returning lineup in the center position. As a freshman, Padua was named to the All-GCC Freshman team as well as earning GCC Player of the Week honors the week of Nov. 11. Tyler registered 20 goals and 11 steals in his 19 starts with the Anteaters.

"Tyler is an incredible center and he had a really good break through freshman year. We are expecting a lot out of him. He's learning little nuances of the game and I think he is a pretty raw talent when it comes to center. We are excited to see what he can do and how he can make his teammates better."

2. SENIOR SALUTE
Zlatan Nikocevic and Grant Chiponis return for their senior season in 2022. Both Chiponis and Nikocevic will lead the charge of this of a young squad.

Zlatan was named to both the All-GCC Honorable Mention team and GCC All-Academic team in 2021. The attack led the 2021 Anteater squad in goals (48) and shots (115) while also ranking second on the team in assists (32).
 
"He is a pretty composed individual. Zlatan has had an incredible body transformation in the time that he's been here. He took the time to really invest himself in athletics and change his personal athletic structure. With everything being new to everyone right now, we are really going to rely on his veteran status."

Grant was named to the GCC All-Academic team in 2021 as well as in 2019. The utility played in 19 games last season where he recorded 23 goals, 10 steals, and one assist.

3. NEW KIDS ON THE POOL DECK
Klatt adds seven newcomers to the 2022 roster. The incoming class includes two sophomores and five freshmen.

Sophomore Ethan Shipman comes to Irvine after a two-year stint at UCLA. A strong performer in the classroom, Ethan was named to the MPSF All-Academic team, Pac-12 All-Academic team, UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll, and as an ACWPC All-Academic Honoree. In the pool, the attack registered three goals, 14 shots, nine assists, and six steals.

"He has three seasons left to play, is very smart and savvy, and was coached extremely well at the high school level and at his previous college. Ethan is a coach out there in the water. He's already been helping his teammates improves and his presence has been incredible in that way."

Sophomore Jack Stevens comes to UC Irvine as a transfer from Saddleback Community College, where he spent one year playing for the Bobcats. In 36 games played, the utility led the team with 86 goals and 118 shots while recording 31 assists and 48 steals.

"Jack had an incredible athletic talent. Has really good hands, has good athleticism, and is still learning the speed of the game."

Jackson Matos was a four-year letter winner at Foothill High School in both water polo and swimming. The utility played on the 2018-19 Men's Cadet National Team where he was a gold medalist and co-MVP in the USA Water Polo Junior Olympics.

"He was the MVP of the U18 Junior Olympics squad. His water polo experience is incredible, can play any position, and understands the game and very small nuances that lead to success. Matos is going to help by filling in the awkward spaces."

Luka Krstic comes to California from Perth, Australia. The Serbian native competed in water polo, swimming, and soccer during his time at Cronulla High School in Sydney, Australia. The driver has been a member of the 2003 born Australian National Team since 2018, where he won a national championship after going undefeated during the season.

"Luka came to us about a month ago. He has incredible size and athleticism. Luka is incredibly young to the sport as he only started playing when he was 14. He has a lot to learn, but the athleticism and desire to be good is there."

Freshmen John Billington, Jasper Dale, and Owen Younger will make their Anteater debut in 2022.

4. YOUNG AND HUNGRY
A unique feature of this UC Irvine team is it's youth. This 2022 team is comprised of two senior, three juniors, 15 sophomores, and six freshmen.

"We are slowly picking away at that [cultural structure], working at that, and talking about the ways that we want to play within that as well. It will come. I think that in a season you get better a lot quicker because you're playing games and getting tested against other opponents, so you're forced to face reality when it comes to any lapses in those areas."

5. COACHES
Plenty of new faces join the Anteater family, including changes within the coaching staff.

Dan Klatt was named the Director of Water Polo on January 25^th of this year. This will be Klatt's first season as the head coach for the men's team. In this new role, Dan will continue to coach the women's team where he will be entering his 18^th season with them this spring.

Andrew Rowe will be entering his third season as Associate Head Coach of the men's program, 14^th season overall. Bojan Hrlec returns for his second season as an Assistant Coach.

"I call it a three-headed snake. I think anyone on our coaching staff could be a head coach. I have complete trust in them and our players are getting incredible training everyday regardless of who it is giving them feedback."
 
6. 40^TH ANNIVERSARY
The 2022 season highlights an incredible milestone for the program. This season marks the 40^th anniversary on the 1982 undefeated national championship team. Our national champions will be honored at the annual alumni game on October 8.

"I was fortunate enough that as a player some of the players from the 1982 National Championship team would come around and play with us while we had our old pool here. They would play in our morning scrimmages with us and talk and relax with the team."