This year, girls varsity water polo kicked off its season on March 15 with a 13-1 win against Metea Valley. Shortly after that, the team competed in a tournament over spring break, securing five victories to win the tournament. 

After a successful run last season, taking home third in State and winning Sectionals, head coach Megan Jacobs has high hopes for the team this year. 

“I’m looking forward to Sectionals,” Jacobs said. “It’s always a fun time at the end of the season when you see how much the athletes have grown from day one, especially with our newer girls, and how well the team meshes together because they all play at different clubs.”

Water polo captain Maya Mladjan ‘25 also emphasized the goal of getting to state this season. 

“Some of our team goals this season include winning our sectional and making it to state,” Mladjan said. “To achieve this goal, our work ethic needs to be high, and everyone needs to put their all into our practices.” 

While the team lost two starters, Jacobs feels confident in both her newer and returning players, including her three captains: Maya Mladjan ‘25, Sarsha O’Sullivan ‘25, and Delaney Judkins ‘25. In general, she is looking to improve the team’s overall confidence and communication in the pool. 

“Being confident shooters is tough, especially with younger players, that’s probably one of the biggest challenges,” she said. “Defensively we’re pretty good, so it’s more offensively that we need work.”

Mladjan echoed these sentiments.

“I think we are a pretty fast team, we are up on the counter a lot, but I believe that we can improve on setting up on offense and running plays,” she said. 

On top of practicing every day after school, the team will practice Monday mornings at 5:30 a.m., Jacobs said. 

“We focus a lot on the fundamentals in the beginning, and as the season goes on, we start to do a little more team play,” Jacobs said. “So in the beginning it’s very individualized and towards the middle and end of the season we start putting it all together and working on more team plays, team defense, and being aware of what everyone else is doing in the pool, not just yourself.”

Jacobs also praised teamwork, work ethic, and overall spirit. 

“My favorite part is just the team energy,” Jacobs said. “It takes a lot of dedication to come to 5:30 a.m. practices every week and then also have after school practices, but they bring a really fun energy. They’re always happy and so thankful, so it’s just very rewarding to coach for them.”