Girls water polo has had a great season, winning 18 out of 25 games in the regular season. Last year, the team made it to the championship game of the State tournament, falling to Stevenson. The team hopes to replicate that successful season, Varsity Head Coach Megan Jacobs said. 

“Our goal is to get back to State,” Jacobs said. “This year, the State tournament is a bit different. Last year, eight teams qualified for the state tournament, which was held at Stevenson. This year, there is a new event called a Super-Sectional, which is held at various locations. [Because of this change,] the State tournament has dropped to four teams.” 

Varsity captain Bebe Wright ‘26 echoed Jacobs’ goal of making it to the State tournament.

“With the new Super-Sectionals, it will be harder to [qualify], but I know we definitely can,” Wright said. “We’ll likely have to beat St. Ignatius, a team we lost to earlier in the season, but we’ve learned from that game and are ready to play against them again.” 

This season, the team has 12 seniors. The team thrives off of a combo of experience and youth, with a couple of juniors and sophomores starting alongside four seniors. One of the seniors, Bella Recker ‘26, announced her commitment to continue playing water polo at Princeton back in April. 

“I’m very excited that I get to pursue a career in medicine and fulfill my dream of continuing to play water polo in college,” Recker said. “Everything that has led to this has been amazing, and I’m looking forward to everything that comes.”

Last year, two seniors graduated who made a strong impact on the team, Wright said. However, five of the seven starters are back this season. 

“Last year we had a very strong senior class, so it has been a big adjustment filling their shoes,” Wright said. “Many players have had to step up and take on new responsibilities. That has been challenging at times, but our team continues to improve with every practice and game as we grow together.”

Due to the large number of seniors on the team this season, the culture is pretty mature, Jacobs said. They know what is expected. However, the group likes to have fun and is more light-hearted than in years past. 

“Our team culture has been amazing,” Wright said. “We’re all very close friends in and out of the water, which makes coming to practice every day so much fun. Because we are so close, we also have great team chemistry, which makes it easy to play together.”

The team’s championship season began on May 14 (past LION’s print date).  

“I love polo because of the relationships I’ve built over the years,” Wright said. “I’ve met many of my closest friends through the sport, and I’ve been lucky enough to have an amazing coach. [Jacobs] makes the sport enjoyable for all of us, which keeps us motivated and excited to come back each year.”