LA MIRADA --- Biola men's water polo looks to add nine new student-athletes to the returning 16 players from Biola's MWP inaugural team in 2021. These new recruits will be a great addition to the team's competitiveness and depth of talent for this year and years to come. 

Many of these athletes were leading scorers for their team, as well as MVPs of their leagues and/or sections and hold many school records. Many earned first team all-conference, all-section and/or All-State awards. Each of them were very successful on their previous teams and were also great team leaders. Each player will contribute in their own unique way, helping raise Biola MWP to the next level. 

"I am excited for these new recruits to become part of the Biola community and grow athletically, relationally, emotionally, spiritually and academically to impact the world for Christ, as our Biola athletic mission states," said head coach Rick Nordell. "These young men each bring with them individual gifts and talents that will contribute to and build up the rich and deep Christian community that students experience here at Biola University."

Joshua Dachenhausen started playing water polo seven years ago for the club Orange County Water polo Foundation. He played four years for El Dorado High School, where he started on varsity his senior season. That season, the team made it to the quarterfinals of CIF Southern Section Division ll. Over the season, Dachenhausen recorded 430 saves, 42 assists, and 36 steals, leading to Second Team All CIF Division ll, Second Team Crestview League and Scholar Athlete awards. His totals helped him to top-10 CIF Records for most saves in a single game and most saves in a single season. 

Coach Nordell: "I believe that Joshua will bring his size, skill & ability to add to our already solid goalie lineup. I've seen Joshua play and what impresses me most is his focus & determination. These traits along with Joshua's character and leadership abilities will not only help him improve as a collegiate goalie, but will help lift our team to the next level."

Dylan Diaz comes to us from Dixon High School in Dixon, CA. He began his water polo journey as a freshman, where he immediately earned a starting position & started on varsity all four years at Dixon HS. Diaz also played for the Davis water polo club. On his high school team he earned many titles including, All league MVP back to back, All time leading scorer with 353 career goals, All league first team(three years), and All Academic all league for all four years of high school.

Coach Nordell: "Dylan brings to our team an impressive scoring potential. He has led his high school team in scoring and knows how to put the ball in the cage. His desire to learn and grow into an impactful collegiate athlete is matched by his untapped potential. I see a tremendous upside in Dylan and great things from him in the future."

Beau Gendron started playing water polo when he was in 5th grade and fell in love with the sport. He was named MVP his senior year after leading the team with 140 goals. This summer he played with Kings Elite and traveled to multiple tournaments with his team.

Coach Nordell: "Beau brings to Biola his size, speed and scoring potential. As one of our fastest recruits this year, Beau will help us keep a high tempo in our transitional game & provide another scoring threat on our offensive possessions. Keep your eye on this guy, he is going to do great things here at Biola." 

Joshua Halopoff was a four year varsity water polo player at Porterville High School, helping the team capture a D2 CIF Section Championship. In 2018, Josh earned the East Yosemite League Allstar Game MVP. Josh continued his education & water polo at Cuesta College where he netted 76 and 109 drawn exclusions in two seasons. He earned First Team WSC League player, First Team So-Cal player & All-American player his last season at Cuesta. 

Coach Nordell: "I had the privilege of coaching Josh on a club team as a high school athlete. I was impressed with him then and now after two seasons with Cuesta College. I am more impressed with his diversity of skill sets and experience that he will bring to our team. He has demonstrated the ability to excel at both ends of the pool & will have an immediate impact on our team's success."

Caleb Hernandez played water polo at Valley Christian High School in San Jose, CA and also played club for the San Jose Express. Hernandez began playing polo when he was 11 along with four of his siblings. He was named team captain and was also the leading goal scorer on the varsity team, helping him to a first team all CCS selection as a senior.

Coach Nordell: "Caleb is coming in as our fastest recruit this year. His quickness and explosiveness will add to our transitional game. He is an extremely versatile player, who can score when needed and at the other end of the pool contribute to a solid team field defense. He comes to us well coached and with a tremendous water polo IQ."

Adam LaVoy has played water polo for the past eight years, having played for his high school team, four different club teams, as well as doing USA Water Polo's ODP (Olympic Development Program) pipeline for the past five years. In his senior year at Clear Lake High School in Texas, he earned the Region MVP award & First Team All-State honor. Lavoy was among a select group of water polo players across the country selected to attend the USA Water Polo National Team Selection Camp (NTSC).

Coach Nordell: "Adam is our only recruit this year from outside of California and he comes to us from Texas. Because of his Texas upbringing, he always responds to me, "yes sir"... I love that!  Adam brings a unique mix of size & speed and of offense & defense. I have seen him score in the double digits in a single game and also shut down other teams top scorers. I have no doubt he will be an impactful player on our team this year and the years to come."

Nick Murray played on the varsity team at Diamond Bar high school for four years, and played at CHAWP for club for five years. During his time in high school, Murray received the team's offensive player of the year, and team MVP awards in his junior and senior years. He also received league MVP, and All CIF second team honors as a senior.

Coach Nordell: "Nick comes to Biola after an incredibly successful high school season. Nick has proven himself as a serious scoring threat, but also has the size to add to our defensive presence in the pool. I see in him a lot of potential as a collegiate athlete and know that he will contribute to our team's success in the future."

Gavin Oliver attended Redlands East Valley High school, helping the team to a second place finish at the CIFSS Division II Championship and then the California Regional State Waterpolo Championship. Oliver earned multiple awards his senior year including CIFSS Division II First Team and First Team All Citrus Belt League. He logged the most goals for his team for the season as well. Oliver also played for the Renegades Waterpolo Club & Orange County Waterpolo Club outside his high school season.

Coach Nordell: "Gavin is a fun player to watch. He is quick, powerful & explosive. His shots come fast and hard. He is an intense player with a passion for the game. His drive, determination and work ethic will help him to become an outstanding college player and contribute to Biola MWP success this year and in the coming years."

Kyle Seifen played at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, and competed for CHAWP water polo club. Siefen set five records at Eleanor Roosevelt High including: the most career assists (80) and season assists (36), career steals (184), season steals (86), and also 11 steals in one game. He was named team MVP and first team all-league three years in a row.

Coach Nordell: "Kyle is a player I have had my eye on for a while. He is a quiet, calm, deliberate & selfless player. He has a great awareness of what's happening in the pool and contributes both offensively & defensively. He instinctively knows where to position himself defensively, which creates a lot of opportunities for steals. On the offensive side, Kyle can equally assist or score"