Long Beach State University Athletics
Men’s Water Polo Picked To Repeat As Champions In Big West Preseason Poll
8/24/2026 12:13:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
The Beach took the top spot and had two players, Gabi Acosta and Corbin Stanley, named Preseason All-Big West.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State Men's Water Polo has been picked to repeat as league champions as the Big West announced the results of the preseason coaches poll on Monday.
Long Beach State, the 2025 regular season champions, claimed four first-place votes and were chosen in front of Black and Blue Rivalry foes UC Irvine in second place. Newcomers California Baptist tied for third with UC San Diego, while UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Fullerton rounded out the preseason order.
Junior Gabi Acosta was selected as Preseason All-Big West, joined by sophomore Cobin Stanley as the two centers represented the Beach on the seven-player team. Acosta is the two-time reigning Big West Player of the Year, and led Long Beach State with 68 goals, scoring in 24 of his 25 appearances on the season. Stanley led the team in exclusions drawn as a sophomore last season with 40, and earned Honorable Mention All-Big West honors after scoring 31 goals for LBSU, tied for third-most on the team.
Long Beach State begins the 2026 season with a busy weekend, playing six games as part of the Triton Invitational hosted by UC San Diego beginning on Friday, August 28.
Long Beach State, the 2025 regular season champions, claimed four first-place votes and were chosen in front of Black and Blue Rivalry foes UC Irvine in second place. Newcomers California Baptist tied for third with UC San Diego, while UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Fullerton rounded out the preseason order.
Junior Gabi Acosta was selected as Preseason All-Big West, joined by sophomore Cobin Stanley as the two centers represented the Beach on the seven-player team. Acosta is the two-time reigning Big West Player of the Year, and led Long Beach State with 68 goals, scoring in 24 of his 25 appearances on the season. Stanley led the team in exclusions drawn as a sophomore last season with 40, and earned Honorable Mention All-Big West honors after scoring 31 goals for LBSU, tied for third-most on the team.
Long Beach State begins the 2026 season with a busy weekend, playing six games as part of the Triton Invitational hosted by UC San Diego beginning on Friday, August 28.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Water PoloSaturday, November 24
Sunday, November 18
Wednesday, November 30
Wednesday, November 16
