3 Long Beach State Men’s Water Polo Players Named
to Mountain Pacific Sports Federation All-Academic Team

Three players from the Long Beach State men’s water polo team—Milos Vrzic, Brian Schiefer, and Dan Matulis—were named to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation’s (MPSF) All-Academic Team, which was announced by the MPSF Executive Director Al Beaird last Wednesday.

To be selected for the All-Academic team, student-athletes must have completed at least 50 percent of the school’s competition schedule, be at least a sophomore academically, have completed a full academic year at the school prior to the season, and own a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better.

Vrzic, a sophomore attacker from Belgrade, Serbia, led the pack with a 3.84 cumulative GPA.  The sophomore finished the season with 40 goals in 32 appearances for the 49ers.

Matulis, a junior center from Milford, Ohio, earned his first All-Academic team honors with a 3.0 GPA.  Coming in at 6-feet-11, Matulis played a vital role in the success of Long Beach State’s historic season with a team-high 69 goals.

The team captain, Schiefer, a senior from Newport Beach, ended his 49er career with his second-straight All-Academic team honors with a 3.03 GPA.  Schiefer wrapped up the season with 19 goals.

The 2012 men’s squad recorded one of the best seasons in its history, finishing with a 24-8 overall record and 4-4 in MPSF play.  When the final national rankings were released at the end of the season, Long Beach State finished fifth in the polls, which tied for the second-best in program history.

-- Stephanie Sampson