Two weeks into the 2026 women's water polo season, California freshman Despoina Drakotou has already gone back-to-back with honors as the MPSF Newcomer of the Week. Last week's winner of the award, she has claimed it again this week after her powerful performance for the Golden Bears at the Brigitte Donner Daws Memorial Invitational.

Drakotou recorded back-to-back hat tricks in Cal's two wins over the weekend, matching her career best in both games. In the 15-11 win over No. 9 Fresno State, she also served up three assists. And in a 21-7 win over No. 12 San Jose State, Drakotou added two assists, two field blocks and an assist. She has now recorded multiple-goal games in all five Cal wins this season to help the Bears to a 5-0 start to the year.

Drakotou and the Golden Bears have one game on tap this week, with Cal hosting Pacific at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at Spieker Aquatics Complex.