Trio Of UH-Manoa water polo players earn All-America status

BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — The Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) announced its Division I All-Americans on Thursday, and for the second straight year, three University of Hawai’i women’s water polo players gained recognition.

Bia Mantellato Dias was named to the second team while Alba Bonamusa Boix and Emma van Rossum earned honorable mention.

It was another award for Mantellato Dias who, earlier this month, was named both the Big West Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year as well as to the all-Big West first team. The native of Sao Paulo, Brazil finished as one of the nation’s leading goal scorers, while enjoying one of the most prolific seasons ever by a Rainbow Wahine.

Mantellato-Dias scored 82 goals in 2023 for the third-most in a single-season by a UH-Manoa player. The freshman, who was named Big West Player of the Week three times, had 15 hattricks on the year, highlighted by a seven-goal performance at UC San Diego.

Bonamusa Boix was tabbed an All-American for the second time in her career. The native of Barcelona, Spain was a first-team all-conference selection this year after tallying 57 goals and 27 assists for the Rainbow Wahine. Bonamusa Boix, who was an ACWPC first-team All-American in 2020, currently ranks eighth all-time at UH-Manoa in goals scored with 157.

Meanwhile, van Rossum concluded her decorated career at UH-Manoa with her first-ever All-America nod. The senior from Nieuwegein, Utrecht, Netherlands gained recognition for her all-around play, including as one of the nation’s best defenders. Earlier this season, the three-time all-conference performer was named to the watch list for the Cutino Award which recognizes the nation’s top collegiate player.

UH-Manoa has had at least one player earn All-America honors every year since the program’s inception in 1998,