Kayla Mathis of Soquel High School decided to play water polo at UC Santa Barbara in NCAA Division I. (Raul Ebio – Santa Cruz Sentinel File)
Soquel — Incoming Soquel Senior Kayla “KK” Mathis loves beach communities, especially Santa Barbara. This is where she envisions living after she graduates from college, she said.
She will have a probationary period. Last week, she pledged to play water polo for the NCAA Division I UC Santa Barbara starting in 2024-25.
“I’m really excited,” she said. “Santa Barbara was the number one school for me. I’m so happy to be committed there. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.”
Not only will she be able to compete at her dream school, she will also be competing alongside her dream teammates. Her older sister Kelsey, who was named the 2021 Central Coast Section Player of the Year, transferred to UCSB from Arizona State in the offseason and has four years left in her eligibility.
“I really wanted to hang out with my sister,” Kayla said.
The feelings are mutual, Kelsey said. “I’m very excited. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
UCSB went 18-11 last season under longtime coach Serera Kay, and 2-5 in the Big West Conference. The sisters want to help the Gaucho win a conference title.
Kayla has not made an official visit to UCSB, but she has seen the campus and knows the coaches. “She’s an amazing woman and she has influence,” Kayla said.
Kayla had other college options and considered playing out-of-state at the University of Michigan and Brown University. However, the charm of Santa Barbara and the opportunity to play with my family made it an easy decision.
They are great teammates, and Soquel coach Ryan Chapat said, “These two complimented each other so much at Soquel, they will be great teammates again at UCSB.”
During his three-year career with the national team, Kayla scored 61 goals, 74 assists and 115 steals. The Knights have won the CCS Open Division in the past two seasons, winning 12 consecutive league titles.
“KK is one of the strongest center defenders I have ever coached,” Shapat said. “We have had some exceptional athletes over the past few seasons and have been solid offensively, but what has improved our program is our defense. It is done.”
On the other side of the pool, Kelsey had a real blast. In her four-year career with the Knights, she tallied 295 goals and 127 assists. She was equally talented on defense, where she had 216 stolen bases.
Kelsey did not play for the Sun Devils as a freshman. She plans to major in environmental studies at her UCSB.
“Santa Barbara is my home,” she said.
Kayla has not decided on a major. She considers marine science, environmental studies, or psychology.
This weekend she will be on the Santa Cruz Water Polo Club’s women’s 18U team at the USA Junior Olympic Water Polo Games in Orange County. Kelsey plans to cheer her sister on in the stands.
