This season, two graduating seniors, Catie Kucera and Julia Balbach, made an unexpected entrance to Water Polo team. Replacing their usual soccer uniforms with swimwear, these athletes are taking their final season to try the demanding and physical aquatic sport. 

Kucera and Balbach felt the temporary nervousness of joining a new team: having to acquaint themselves with an already established squad, pick up the rules of a new sport, adjust to the daily 6 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. pool practices, and acquire some good brands of shampoo and conditioner to combat constant chlorine exposure. 

The chlorine smell and sounds of the pool’s filtration system have become the aesthetic of the athletes’ new sporting grounds. Both have learned to thrive in a new sporting environment: carrying their go-getter attitude with them, and absorbing much of the advice their coach Ms. Anna Colletti and fellow water polo teammates give them. 

“Catie and Julia came in with no reservations; they never complain,” Colletti said. “If anything they are eager to learn more and are truly committed to the sport in just the two weeks I have seen them.” 

Both players said they were immediately welcomed onto the JV Water Polo team and were pleasantly surprised by the team’s comradery. Colletti said the team “truly is a family/sisterhood” who learn together, laugh together, and grow together.

“They have adapted to the team quickly, and the girls on the team have embraced them as if they were here since freshman year. If one of their teammates sees they could better execute a drill in the water, they will give them positive feedback and help before I can get to them,” said Coach Colletti.

Kucera, who brings a cannon for an arm, has been invited to play alongside the Varsity team multiple times just weeks into her water polo career. Colletti continues to be impressed by Kucera’s talent in the pool, and on occasion wonders why she is now just joining the team. 

“Her drive and determination to play hard and learn the drills and skills are amazing to see,” said Coach Colletti. 

Despite her lack of previous experience, Kucera is embracing the challenges.

“I love the challenge. It’s exciting to push yourself in a different way athletically,” said Kucera. “I’m not going to expect myself to perform at the same level as someone who played for 6+ years. I don’t compare my week two to someone’s year four.” 

 Balbach has become fascinated by the sport and has learned that it’s never too late to try something new. Predominantly playing soccer for the past few spring sports seasons, she found her next sporting challenge in water polo. 

“Every day Julia is thriving and picking up the rules of the game,” Coach Colletti said. “She comes in smiling every day even when we have our 6 am morning practices.” 

Balbach continues to improve her water treading skills, passing skills, and overall playing becoming an asset to the Water Polo team. 

“Water Polo is a very physically demanding sport. Between swimming back and forth, throwing the ball, and treading water the entire time it requires some serious endurance,” said Balbach, “I’ve been using some muscles I’ve never used before resulting in some pretty sore mornings.” 

 A new sporting endeavor has been unlocked for these two athletes and although they are both near graduation, both Kucera and Balbach intend to continue playing water polo in college. 

 A last semester sporting decision in their senior year has blessed them with knowledge of a new sport, and a hard-working coach, and given them life-long friendships. 

“I am glad Catie and Julia are ending their senior year with a challenging sport and having fun while doing so. They always try their best no matter what, and I love seeing that in new players,” Coach Colletti said.