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Coaches:
Matt Warshaw—Director
South Coast Aquatics Director Matt Warshaw is a Thousand Oaks native, South Coast alumnus, and graduate of Thousand Oaks High School, where he competed as a varsity water polo player and team captain. Matt's coaching experience includes a season with the Newbury Park High School program before founding the Golden Bay Water Polo Club in 2001. Golden Bay began as a youth program, with just nine athletes, but quickly grew to be among the most competitive programs in Ventura County. The Golden Bay program merged with the South Coast Water Polo Club in 2003, and expanded to include programs for four separate age divisions, including high school. In 2004, Matt added a swim program to the South Coast catalog. In 2017 South Coast took over the Malibu Water Polo Foundation at Malibu High School & in 2019 they merged with the Titan Water Polo Club.

Over the years, the South Coast Water Polo Club has achieved tremendous success throughout California and Hawaii, including a Bronze Medal at the 2008 Junior Olympics (14 & Under Boys), 6 San Diego County Cup medals, a Hawaiian Invitational championship (2004) and runner-up finish (2006), and a top-20 finish at the 2006 Junior Olympics for the boys (15th place) and girls (29th place) teams. At the 2010 Junior Olympics, South Coast placed 10th in the 14 & Under Boys Platinum Bracket; and 5th in the 14 & Under Girls Gold Bracket. At the 2011 Junior Olympics South Coast was represented with eight teams across the age groups, the 16U boys finishing a club best 10th in the platinum bracket. In 2012 South Coast qualified nine teams, including a silver medal finish with the 18U boys. With more than 300 current members, South Coast is proud to boast nearly 3,000 alumni athletes, including many NCAA Division I, II, and III players; and continues to thrive as the third oldest club water polo program in the state of California.

In addition to his work with the South Coast program, Matt holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from Cal State University Northridge (CSUN), where he is also the head coach for the Division I women's water polo team since 2016. Prior to his work with the Matadors, Matt spent 12 years as an assistant coach for the men's and women's water polo teams at California Lutheran University, which celebrated Women's Division III National Championships in 2007 and 2010. From 2012-2015 Matt joined the Olympic Development staff as an assistant coach for the 10th/12th grade and under boys in the Coastal California Zone.

Jason Rosenthal—12U, 14U Girls and Girls Director
A 32-year coaching veteran, Coach Jason served as the girls Head Coach for 26 years and the Boys' Head coach from 1992-2003 & 2014 and led the boys' program to four Marmonte League Championships in 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2014 as well as 12 straight playoff appearances. In 1996 Jason helped to form the first ever girls water polo team at AHS. From 1996-2022 he led them to 22 Marmonte league titles, 6 CIF Championship Finals, 2 CIF Titles and has won a CIF record 170 (and counting) consecutive league games.

  • Marmonte League Boys Coach of the Year- 1994, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2014
  • Marmonte League Girls Coach of the Year- 1999-2003, 2005-2017, 2022.
  • Coastal Canyon League Girls Coach of the Year- 2019, 2020
  • CIF Coach of the Year- 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2022
  • Los Angeles Daily News Coach of the Year- 1998, 2002- for Boys Team
  • Los Angeles Daily News Coach of the Year- 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008 for girls team

During his 26 seasons as Agoura High School Girls head coach, Jason complied an overall record of 537-214 and a league record of 226-8. Jason formerly headed the HS Girls Program at Los Angeles Water Polo Club. He has also been involved with the National Youth Program. From 1999-2004 & 2020-Present he coached the youth zone team for our area. Born and raised in the area Jason is a member of the local community living in Moorpark with his wife and two daughters ages 9 and 11.
Derek Allen—12U & 14U Boys
Derek Allen started his water polo career at Bishop Alemany High School in 2015. In his freshman year, he started as a center on Junior Varsity where he received the most improved player award. In his Sophomore year at Alemany, he became a starter on the varsity team where he received the first of his varsity letters. For his Junior and senior years he transferred to Agoura High School. Going into his senior year he started as the center and helped bring the team to the CIF playoffs. For three years he played with the Los Angeles Water Polo Club as a center going to Junior Olympics all three years. Once completing his high school career Derek went on to compete at La Salle University. Taking a year off because of Covid he went on to play at Los Angeles Valley College where he played for another year and then decided to begin coaching. He started working at his local pool and began his coaching career with an intro class in Simi Valley for 14U. Derek is currently studying at Moorpark College seeking a degree in Kinesiology to go into the field of Sports Medicine.
Trevor Campbell—12U & 14U Boys
Trevor Campbell brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the pool deck. During his time at Agoura High School, he was part of a highly competitive boys water polo program that consistently competed in top-tier tournaments including the Elite 8, North-South Challenge, and the South Coast Tournament—earning wins against some of California’s best teams.

He continued his playing career at the collegiate level with stints at California Baptist University, Ventura College, and California Lutheran University. During his time in college, Campbell earned accolades including 1st Team All-Western State Conference, Honorable Mention All-Conference, and Athlete of the Week honors.

As a coach, Campbell has made significant contributions across various programs, earning several league titles and aiding in multiple deep CIF appearances. In addition to high school coaching, Coach Campbell serves as a Zone Coach for USA Water Polo's Olympic Development Program in the Coastal Zone and oversees the 12U Boys program at South Coast Aquatics. He was recognized in 2024 with the Ted Newman award for his coaching contributions in the Coastal Zone and guided the Coastal Development Red Team to a first place finish at the 2025 ODP National Championships. Coach Campbell is currently the Head Coach of the Boys Water Polo and Swim programs at Agoura High School.

Nick Candau—18U Boys
Bio coming soon.

Levi Cook—16U & 18U Boys
Levi Cook started his water polo career at South Coast back in 2012 at just 7 years old. Since then, he has played at numerous clubs where he gained tons of knowledge and insight about the game. Levi attended Newbury Park High School in 2019 and graduated in 2023. During his senior year, he led the team in both goals and assists while being acquiring Marmonte League First Team as well as Division III Second Team honors. Following his high school career, Levi is a starter on the California Lutheran University men's team where he is studying Exercise Science.
Kaitlin Gardhouse—16U & 18U Girls
Kaitlin Gardhouse started playing water polo at the age of 12. She played for Agoura High School where she was a 4-year Varsity Water Polo player. During her time at Agoura High School, she was a 3 time USA Water Polo Academic All American. She was named to the 2016, 2017, and 2018 All-Marmonte League first team, 2016, 2017 and 2018 second team All-CIF, 2018 VC Star All County Girls Water Polo first team, 2018 AHS Defensive Player of the Year, 2018 Agoura High School Winter Athlete of the Year, contributed to AHS being 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 Marmonte League Champions, and 2018 AHS captain. Kaitlin earned a degree in Biology from California Lutheran University in 2022 where she was a four year starter, named to the SCIAC All-Conference team and earned All-American honors.
Jack Germann—Splashball & 12U Boys
Jack Germann began playing water polo at the age of 10 and has been a goalie since the first practice. He was a 4-year starter, 3-year varsity player, and 2-year captain at Newbury Park High School, graduating in 2023. After high school, he played for California Lutheran University for 2 years before retiring due to injury. Jack has worked as a swim instructor, water polo coach, and lifeguard since 2022. As a water polo coach, Jack has worked with a wide range of age groups, from ages 5 to 18. When coaching 12U and 14U, he focuses on goalies and defensive strategy due to his experience in the cage. Jack is currently pursuing a degree in communications at California Lutheran University.
Hayden GOldberg Hayden Goldberg—16U & 18U Boys
Hayden was a three-year varsity water polo player and swimmer at Malibu High School, where he earned 1st team all-league honors MVP awards. He helped lead the Sharks to CIF playoff appearances each year, and qualified as a CIF swimming finalist. Hayden went on to compete with the Ventura College water polo program, helping his team to reach the conference finals.

As a coach, Hayden has spent the last 15 years as head coach of the Malibu Youth Water Polo Club. He currently coaches at Malibu High School as the head coach for the Malibu High School Boys and Girls polo team. In his coaching at Malibu he has made a combined five appearances in CIF finals. In 2013 Hayden coached the Malibu 16U boys team to a 5th place finish at the Junior Olympics. In 2014 Malibu won their first CIF title. 2016 Hayden's Southcoast 16u won 5th in the Gold Division.

Jaeger Gonzales—Goalie Coach
Bio coming soon.
Elijah Graves—16U & 18U Girls
Elijah started playing water polo for Agoura the summer going into his freshman year, 2013. Elijah also played for the Los Angeles Water Polo club and was a center on teams that won gold in the 16U gold division, placing 6th in the 16U platinum division, and 7th in the 18U platinum division. After graduating, he continued to play at Santa Monica College for the 2018-2019 seasons, where he broke the all-time records for steals, goals, and assists. Achieving Western State Conference 1st team and MVP two years in a row inspired Elijah to keep pursuing a water polo career leading him to play Division 1 at California State University of Long Beach. At Long Beach, he started as a 1-2 side attacker and post-up player, helping the team to the finals of the Gold Coast Conference. After losing his senior year of play to the pandemic, He graduated with a degree in environmental science and policy.
Chet Hardy—14U & 16U Boys
Chet Hardy first began to play water polo in 7th grade for the Titan Water Polo Club at Rio Mesa High School. He then competed all four years at Camarillo High school where as a sophomore on the Varsity team, Chet was awarded Second Team All-League honors. His junior year, he achieved First Team All-League and was named Camarillo MVP. In his senior campaign he was the team captain and helped lead the team to the first league championship in school history. In addition to water polo Chet was also a four-year member of the Camarillo swim team. Following high school, Chet went earned a Bachelors Degree in History while also coaching for Gold Coast Water Polo Club. Chet was the lead coach for the 14U girls team at the 2019 Junior Olympics. Chet has also coached basketball at Oxnard High School and Rio Del Valle Middle School. In addition to his South Coast role Chet is the head boys and girls water polo coach at Newbury Park High School. 
Anais Mathes—12U & 14U Girls
Mathes joins the South Coast staff after a stint with the Santa Cruz Water Polo Club as a youth girls coach. Previously, Mathes played professional water polo beginning in 2020 with the Lille Metropolitan Water Polo Club in Lille, France. Mathes played collegiate water polo at Marist College from 2017-20, helping the team post three 20-win seasons. In 125 career matches, Mathes registered 186 points, 123 goals, 63 assists and 56 steals. She scored a career-high 45 goals to go with 20 assists in her junior season. As a senior, Mathes would receive ACWPC All-America Honorable Mention accolades along with MAAC Preseason Co-Player of the Year recognition. She would finish the shortened 2020 campaign with 22 goals. Originally from San Diego, Mathes prepped at Torrey Pines High School where she played water polo all four years. She served as team captain in each of her last two years and would be named the team's Most Valuable Player from 2014-16. Mathes was also a first-team All-Division and first-team all-league selection with Torrey Pines. In addition to Anais position with South Coast she is an assistant coach at California State University Northridge for the D1 women's water polo team.
Andrew Maitam—16U & 18U Girls
Andrew Maitam started playing water polo at the age of thirteen at Calabasas High School. He became a three-year varsity starter where he was a 2-time all-league selection, 2-time scoring leader, MVP, team captain, and record holder for goals in a game (11). He played club water polo for Bruins WPC where he competed in multiple Junior Olympic and Futures competitions. In addition to water polo he was also a three-time letter winner and 2-time all-league selection in swimming. Andrew started coaching water polo shortly after graduating from CHS in 2017. He has been directly involved with both the boys and girls programs at Calabasas High since 2018, where he has either served as an assistant or a head coach. He held the position of head 18U girls coach at SFV water polo from 2019-2021 before joining the South Coast staff in 2022. Andrew received his BA and teaching credential in English Language Arts from Pepperdine University in 2022.
Ricky Mulcahey—10U & 18U Boys
Ricky started his water polo career at Crescenta Valley High School, where is was named First-Team All-Pacific League and MVP three consecutive years. He then went on to compete at Los Angeles Valley College where he was named First-Team all-conference in his sophomore year. From there he attended Cal Lutheran where he was a two-year starter in his junior and senior seasons and completed a degree in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine. Ricky began coaching for South Coast in 2009, taking multiple teams to Junior Olympics through the years. Ricky started coaching at Crescenta Valley High Schol in 2014 and was named coach of the year in 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017 with Pacific League titles in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Ricky is now a PE teacher at Fremont and Muir Elementary School and lives in Fillmore with his wife and daughter.

Backus Nahas—16U & 18U Boys
Backus started playing water polo at the age of 14 at Porterville High School, continuing on at Ventura College and Master’s programs. Four of his years in Master’s he played under USA Water Polo Hall of Fame coach Sandy Nitta at Team Vegas/Henderson Water Polo Club. He has coached youth sports since 1997 including water polo, basketball, baseball, MMA and soccer. Backus has a strong focus on fundamentals, positive attitude and teamwork to help inspire young athletes to achieve their goals in sports. In addition, Backus owns a family farming operation that grows and markets strawberries and enjoys spending quality family time with his wife Kamala and their three children Asha, Sassin and Samir.
Samir Nahas—12U & 14U Boys
Samir Nahas played water polo for South Coast in his youth and resides in Camarillo, California. Known for his strong work ethic and competitiveness in the pool, he developed skills in both offensive playmaking and defensive specialities. Samir played under South Coast for 10 years, starting when he was 8 years old. Samir also played at Camarillo High School, where he was a 4-year Varsity Swimmer and Water Polo player. Samir was named Captain his junior year and carried that title through his senior year. During his time at Camarillo, Samir earned All-County and All-League 1st team honors, as well as being named All-League and Camarillo High School MVP. Samir also demonstrated skill under pressure leading Camarillo High School to its deepest run in Divisions 4 and 2 CIF-SS and giving Camarillo its second and third ever League Champions title. Samir is now a full-time student studying Political Sciences and an avid member of Mock Trial.
Greg Olsen—12U & 14U Boys
Greg Olsen started playing water polo his freshman year of high school. He attended Thousand Oaks High School where he was a three year varsity member and an MVP his senior year. He obtained All-CIF, Ventura County Players of the Year and First Team All-Marmonte League accolades, while setting the school record for assists. Greg played with South Coast throughout high school where he won a gold medal in the 2021 Junior Olympics in the gold division. In addition to his South Coast duties he is currently coaching at Newbury Park High School and is attending California Lutheran University and majoring in Business administration.
Mike Potter—14U & 16U Boys
Michael Potter began his water polo career at age 11 with South Coast Aquatics. He went on to compete at Thousand Oaks HS where he was a three year varsity letter award winner, leading the Lancers to the semi finals in CIF his senior year, along with MVP honors and a 1st team CIF selection. Michael then attended California Lutheran University where he was a four-year member of the swim and water polo teams. He graduated with a BA in Criminal Justice and is currently pursing a career in law enforcement. He enjoys training and competing in open water swimming.
Ryan Prem—12U & 14U Girls
Ryan Prem started playing water polo at age 11 beginning with Simi Water Polo. He went on to play for Royal High School, where he was a three year varsity letter for both water polo and swimming. He specialized at center defense as well as being a left handed attacker in water polo. For swimming, his events were 500 yard freestyle and 100 yard butterfly. Ryan Prem joined South Coast just after his freshman water polo season. Playing for the 16u and 18u teams. He currently attends Moorpark College while majoring in Environmental Science.
Bailey Stubblefield—16U & 18U Girls
Bailey graduated from San Jose State University with a BA in graphic design and a double minor in radio, television, video, film and studio art while completing 4 years for SJSU D1 Water Polo program. An attacker from Newbury Park, Bailey joins us with a wealth of water polo knowledge and high-level DI college experience. Bailey earned varsity letter multiple years at Newbury park High School and earned 2nd Team All-Ventura County her senior year. She was a member of South Coast Water Polo Club for her whole club water polo career, which started in 2014. Additionally, in 2017 she was named a USAWP Junior Olympics All-American. Bailey continued her career at San Jose State University where she completed four years of rigorous competition and training earning a starting spot her senior year. She earned all MPSF Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) All-Academic team three years in a row. She was a 2021 Arthur Ashe, Jr., Sports Scholar. At the 2022 MPSF conference tournament she ranked 2nd overall in steals. In addition to her South Coast position she is also an assistant coach at Westlake High School.

David Sparks—16U & 18U Girls
David Sparks started playing water polo at the age of 14 with South Coast Aquatics. He then played for Agoura High School where he was a multi-year Varsity Athlete for both water polo and swimming. During his time attending Agoura High School, David was a member of boys first CIF Championship water polo team and was part of multiple Marmonte League Championships. As a water polo player and a swimmer, he received multiple All-Marmonte League Honors, All-CIF Honors, All-County Team Honors and Team MVP Honors. After high school, David took two years off athletics and attended Arizona State University, where he studied Kinesiology. After two years at ASU, David transferred back home to attend California Lutheran University to study Exercise Science. While at CLU, David got back into athletics as he played 3 seasons on the men’s swim and 2 seasons on the men's water polo. While playing on the water polo team at CLU, David became an instant starter on the team and helped CLU secure the program's first ever Division III number one overall ranking in his first season. As a swimmer, he was one of the team's top sprinters and while earning All-SCIAC Honors and breaking the schools 400 Freestyle Relay record in 2014. David has now been coaching water polo for over 12 years, working with multiple age groups for both boys and girls. He has worked as a head coach and assistant coach at Agoura High where he won multiple league championships and received multiple coach of the year honors in their league. He was also the boys head swim coach at Agoura for multiple seasons and stepped in at Camarillo High for one season to become the girls head swim coach leading them to a league title. In addition to his coaching, David holds a Master’s in Education, credentials in Special Education and Multiple Subjects, and is currently a behaviorist for Oxnard Union High School District.
Payton Steen—Goalie Coach
Bio coming soon.
Izzy de Souza—16U & 18U Girls
Coach Izzy de Souza began playing water polo at the age of 10, starting with Northwood before competing with Patriot Polo and SOCAL through age 17. At age 13, she was selected to compete in the Olympic Development Program (ODP), where she earned the Nick Johnson Inspiration Award, given to athletes who best embody teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership. At Arnold O. Beckman High School, Izzy was a four-year varsity athlete and earned multiple honors, including First Team All-League CIF, Goalie of the Year, two Coach’s Awards, and four Scholar-Athlete Awards. Following high school, Izzy continued her career at California Lutheran University, where she is currently completing her sixth year of collegiate water polo. Over her time at CLU, she has earned recognition at both the conference and national levels, earning 1st Team all-conference awards multiple years and All-American recognition in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Izzy also holds multiple program records at CLU, including most saves in a single game, second all-time in career saves, and fourth all-time in single-game steals.
Xavier Volgenau—16U & 18U Boys
Xavier Volgenau began swimming for the Pleasant Valley Swim Club in Camarillo at age 12. He went on to be a four-year varsity letter winner in swimming at Newbury Park High School, where he represented the Panthers as a three-tim CIF qualifier in the 100 breaststroke and 200 Individual Medley. Xavier also played high school water polo for Newbury Park, earning 1st team All-Marmonte League honors his senior year. He then played water polo for San Jose State University's club team, and graduated with a degree in forensic psychology. Xavier is pursuing a second degree in business marketing at Cal State Channel Islands with plans to continue on for an MBA. Xavier's aquatics career also includes nine years working for Conejo Recreation & Park District.