This spring, Girls’ Water Polo is ready to take the lead and work hard towards their goals. After last year’s rough patch with only one win, the team hopes that with the help of several new members, they will be able to have a great season. This year, the team wants to put all their focus on strategies that will make them stronger, as well as practices that target more than just plays, but also understanding the sport.
After the class of 2025 graduated, the team lost 3 star players who really brought the team together. As the new year begins, seniors Abby Houlihan, Eden Vishnubhakat, and Nell DeDolph will be taking the role of captains. They plan to help make the team a place where everyone can grow at their own pace and be as supportive as possible.
Head coach Sam Medland is excited for this upcoming season, as it will feel like a fresh start. Saying goodbye to a few star players and welcoming almost 7 new players it will be great to teach them how to play and hopefully have them continue their water polo journey.
“I am so happy to have so many girls come back this year. Everyone works so hard to make the team feel like a family. Having nice girls on the team is always a positive experience,” Medland said.
Athletes always talk about mindset and the importance of having a positive atmosphere. Girls’ water polo takes this meaning to a whole new level.
“Many athletes, especially those who are a part of swim and waterpolo, have a mental battle with themselves, always trying to be the best even when they already are. Making sure there is a strong foundation of trust and positivity will be a huge help for this season,” senior Abby Houlihan said.
The team plans on incorporating upbeat playlists during practice and doing more bonding activities outside of practice.
After a pretty rough season, Coach Medland has new strategies to help strengthen the team and “heighten everyone’s water polo IQ.” Making sure all the girls are on the same page with experience and technique, Medland wants to be sure to take practice time to run drills, conditioning, and get through the milestone a lot of girls hit when getting through the rest of the school year.
“Now that I know what the team will look like, and have more experience coaching the girls I want to work harder on making athletes that care about the sport,” Medland said.
Captain Abby Houlihan has been on the team since freshman year. As a senior captain, she plans to make this year one of her best. With the help of supportive teammates and the ability to be more in charge, she is ready to take on this role, dedicating herself to the sport.
“I am most excited for all the new people joining the team and the ability to teach them how to play. It’s bittersweet because I played for all 4 years of high school, but I’m excited to see what else life has in store for me,” Houlihan said.
As the season begins, the team’s players and coaches are ready to make 2026 the best year for water polo yet.
