Elite Coaching Staff

MATT FLESHER

HEAD ASST. COACH, UC BERKELEY GOLDEN BEARS

HEAD ASST. COACH, UCLA BRUINS, 2005-2009

5-TIME NCAA CHAMPION

3-TIME NCAA ALL-AMERICAN

Matt Flesher, a standout water polo player at UCLA who has been an assistant coach for both the Bruins' men's and women's water polo programs the past four years, is the new head assistant coach for the Cal women's water polo team.

This past Flesher helped guide the UCLA women to their fifth consecutive NCAA title with a 5-4 victory over No. 1 seed USC. In his three seasons working with the Bruin women, UCLA compiled a 93-8 record, including a perfect 33-0 mark in 2008. During Flesher's time assisting the Bruins, two players were the recipients of the Peter J. Cutino Award (named after the legendary Cal men's water polo coach) as the national player of the year, 17 players were named All-Americans and 21 athletes were selected All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

In assisting the UCLA men's water polo program, Flesher helped the Bruins to a 75-29 mark from 2005-08, coaching 19 players who were selected All-American and All-MPSF. In 2006, he was the head coach of the Los Angeles Water Polo Club's 16-Under boy's team that won the U.S. Water Polo National Championship.

As a collegiate player from 1999-2002, Flesher was a member of UCL

Prior to coaching at UCLA, Flesher spent three seasons as a member of the U.S. National Team, competing at the 2003 World University Games and helping Team USA qualify for the 2005 World Championships. He also competed professionally for the Greek team, Ethnikos-Pireaus, in 2003 and 2004. Flesher was the head boy's swimming coach and assistant boy's water polo coach at Corona Del Mar High School in 2004-05 as well.

KRSTO SBUTEGA

2008 PETE CUTINO AWARD FINALIST

2008 1ST-TEAM ALL-AMERICAN

3-TIME ALL-AMERICAN

CURRENT MEMBER, MONTENEGRO NATIONAL TEAM

5TH ALL-TIME, SCORING, UCLA

Krsto Sbutega has just completed a career at UCLA that will forever cement his place as one of the Bruin greats.  Sbutega was prolific around the cage in his four-year career as he scored 143 goals, placing him 5th all-time in the UCLA record books.  For his efforts as a senior, Krsto was named 1st Team All-America by the ACWPC.  Furthermore, Krsto's efforts rewarded him with a trip to the Olympic Club last June as he was one of three candidates up for the Pete Cutino Award, which is presented each year to the nation's best water polo player.

Sbutega scored no less than 30 goals in each of his last three seasons.  In 2008, Krsto netted a team high of 50 goals, making him the first Bruin since Brett Ormsby (2004 US Olympian) to score 50 or more goals in a season. 

Slight in stature (6 feet tall), Krsto's ability to score at the Division I and international level is a direct result of his concentration on shooting.  His ability to manipulate defenses and goalies has been proven in any scenario:  front court, isloation, counter attack, 6-on-5, bad angle and penalty shots.  We are excited for Krsto to be a part of the Elite Polo staff this summer and know his experience and skill will enhance that of any player.