MERCED, Calif. - Claudette Asenjo, Breyenne Pierce, Aislyn Sorsky, and Tori Valdez of the University of California, Merced women's water polo team were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.

All four Bobcats earn the distinction for the first time.

The 2025-26 Academic All-District® team, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances in competition and in the classroom.

Asenjo led the Bobcats with 31 goals this season and earned All-WWPA Second Team honors. She also added a career-high 18 steals and led the Bobcats drawing 26 exclusions. The program's all-time leading goal scorer has 99 career goals and graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in management and business economics.                  

Sorsky scored a goal in six different games this year, including in four games against NCAA Division One opponents. She added four assists. The Fresno, Calif., native is working towards a degree in political science. 

Pierce, who graduated in May with a bachelor's degree in management and business economics, ranked top five on the team her senior season scoring eleven goals and registering nine assists.                                         

In her first year with the Bobcats, Valdez tallied ten points with four goals and six assists. Valdez is a psychology major.

All four Bobcats also made the Chancellor's List this year.