If you didn't know much about Nick Alexander coming into the 2015 collegiate men's water polo season, you weren't alone. But after two relatively quiet seasons at UC San Diego, the 6-foot-1 junior has burst onto the scene this year, collecting 25 goals in the team's first 19 games and becoming an indispensable piece of the 15th-ranked Tritons' lineup. "He sees the pool well and loves to set up his teammates," says associate head coach Matt Ustaszewski. "The potential to be a playmaker has always been there, but it is Nick's emergence as a scorer this season that has provided much-needed balance to our front court offense and extra-man opportunities." With his squad heading into the stretch run of the regular season and gearing up for the WWPA Championship, Nov. 20-22, the Clovis native talked about his breakout campaign, some of his out-of-pool interests, and where he thinks the Tritons might be at the end of the season.
Q: You're top three on the team this year in goals (25), assists (38) and steals (13). Is that something you expected coming into fall camp?
ALEXANDER: To be honest, no. I knew I was going to have to step up my game with the graduation of eight seniors, but I didn't expect this.
Q: You've more than tripled the number of goals you had in your first two seasons at UCSD, and already surpassed career totals in virtually every category. Playing time is clearly part of the reason, but what else has changed?
ALEXANDER: Honestly, nothing has changed drastically. It was more of a mental change that had to occur. I knew I needed to be prepared to get a lot of playing time this year and make some major contributions if we wanted to be successful again.
Q: Besides the numbers, what else comes with the increased playing time?
ALEXANDER: I think there is a healthy amount of pressure that is placed on those who perform well, and the challenge is to never backtrack. With that said, I think the whole team has a fair amount of pressure to do well and continue our legacy, so it goes without saying we are all feeling it around this time of the year.
Q: When you're not playing, what is the toughest part of sitting on the sidelines?
ALEXANDER: The most difficult part about having to sit out the majority of my first two years of collegiate polo would have to be knowing that the program would rely on my fellow underclassmen and me—and with the lack of playing experience would we have what it takes to uphold the traditions and goals set by past teammates?
That's hard knowing game time is so important to the development of your skill set and when you don't get it you can start to question your worth. But knowing that I would get my chance is what kept my head in the game and I am extremely grateful to be able to help continue the water polo culture here at UC San Diego.
Q: So far, what's been the highlight of 2015 for you?
ALEXANDER: The highlight of my season thus far would just be the team chemistry in and out of the pool on a day-to-day basis. Everyone loves everyone, and at the end of the day, we are a team that wins and loses together, and that what's important.
Q: A lot is made about water polo teams having a left-hander in the lineup, particularly in man-up situations. You're a southpaw. For the layman, what kind of advantages does being a lefty offer?
ALEXANDER: I think being left-handed just adds a different element to the game that some teams don't have. Left-handers provide passing opportunities from the other side of the pool as well as a scoring threat which demands attention that can ultimately set other teammates up on the opposite side of the pool which would not have been there if a left-hander wasn't in the lineup.
Q: Your team played in front of more than 1,700 fans against Loyola Marymount at Canyonview Pool last month. What's it like to have that kind of atmosphere?
ALEXANDER: It's an amazing feeling being able to play in that type of environment. Your heart is pounding, you can't hear anything, and when something positive happens like a goal, the pool literally shakes. I got the goosebumps more times than once that game and it's all due to our amazing student body support! So thanks!
Q: Who is one player on this year's Triton roster that has a skill you wish you had in the pool?
ALEXANDER: That's a tough one simply because a lot of people on our team have skills I wish I possessed but I guess if it had to be one I wish I had Andy Moore's tenacity. He never gives up and is always so aggressive and fast that it's hard to keep up which makes him such an asset on our team.
Q: You came to UCSD from Clovis, outside of Fresno. In three words, how would you describe your hometown? What is your favorite thing to do in Clovis?
ALEXANDER: Three words—tight-knit, diverse, and hot. My favorite thing to do in Clovis besides play water polo would be spend time with family and friends going somewhere like the lake.
Q: You're a communication major at UCSD with a photography minor. What is your favorite subject when it comes to taking photos?
ALEXANDER: I enjoy all types of photography, but what I'm really focusing on now is portrait work. Anything from weddings to candids of people out in public.
Q: Sculpture is also one of your interests. What spurred that, how would you rate your talent and what do you consider your best work?
ALEXANDER: I was introduced to sculpting by my high school ceramics teacher as a freshman. I instantly fell in love with it and by my senior year I was (a teaching assistant in) the class with one of my favorite teachers. For a high school student, I was pretty good, but by no means was I comparable to modern-day sculptors. My best piece of art was a set of three koi fish that varied in size from one to four feet. I won several awards and even helped fund my college education with them, so for that I am grateful.
Q: What have you seen from your team this year that makes you think it can win a third consecutive WWPA championship next month in Colorado Springs?
ALEXANDER: I just see the drive and motivation in everyone's eyes and I know we have the opportunity to win it all again. For example, when you lose an important game and not one person is blaming another but there's just a sense of renewed incentive, you know you have some great guys. I think we have what it takes to come away with the WWPA title once more.
Previous Triton Q&A Features
Myles Cooper (Strength & Conditioning) October 6, 2015
Jordyn McNutt (Women's Soccer) September 8, 2015
Cameron McElfresh (Men's Soccer) September 1, 2015
Daniel Franz (Men's Cross Country) August 17, 2015
Meagan Wright (Women's Volleyball) August 10, 2015
Chase Cockerill (Men's Water Polo) August 3, 2015
Kelcie Brodsky (Women's Soccer) July 27, 2015
Kuba Waligorski (Men's Soccer) July 20, 2015
Nate Garcia (Cross Country) July 13, 2015
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