During the 2023-2024 school year, the team won just two games throughout its entire season. Two years later, they had an overall record of 17–6. This isn’t the plot of The Mighty Ducks. This is Westridge’s varsity water polo.

A turnaround like this isn’t something you’d expect from any sport in just two years. Yet, with an overall record of 17–6 and an undefeated Prep League record of 6–0, Westridge’s varsity water polo team has claimed the Prep League championship for the first time since 2017. Additionally, the team upgraded its status to Division 2 in CIF-SS, while also placing 34th in the CIF-SS Girls’ Water Polo Playoff Ranking. As of February 9, the water polo team is advancing to the second round of the CIF playoffs after winning the first playoff round on February 5, 12–11 in overtime against Ventura High School. Their next playoff game will be on February 10, against Bonita High School. 

One reason for such a high-scoring drive, according to co-captain Skye I. ’26, is this season’s three new freshmen: Ella K., Maddie K., and Alma S. Although among the youngest on the team, the underclassmen have a lot of experience in the pool. “The three freshmen, they all play club, so I think having them on the team is making a huge difference,” said Skye.

Freshmen Ella K., Maddie K., and Alma S. boosted water polo’s chances of scoring. For example, center Mira C. ’28, fondly named “Freshman Superstar” by previous Athletic Director Coach Melanie Horn last season, is being given the opportunities to score goals. “Mira, especially in center, is getting a lot of good goals, because we can help set her up for that,” said Skye. 

“I feel like the three freshmen that came really helped us out a lot, and they’re all really good scorers,” said Mira C. “Last year, I feel like our offense wasn’t as good as it is this year, and I feel like we work together more as a team this year.”

In addition to Mira’s role as a key offensive force, the team as a whole has seen improvement on offense.  This season’s scoring has been a true team effort, with other prolific scorers like Skye, Maddie, and Alma contributing to the team’s successful offense. “Everyone is a shooter,” said Skye. “No matter what position, everyone is taking shots. Last year, I feel like we didn’t have that same confidence.”

The reason for a heightened sense of confidence throughout the team is that the players, especially the seniors, sought to improve the team’s chemistry and camaraderie. From hyping each other up before games to getting to know each other on land, the team carries a deep, disciplined bond into the pool. The team’s strong connection has had a noticeable impact on their teamwork during games. “Because we’ve gotten to know each other so well, we are more cohesive in the water and know each other’s strengths, and can play off of them,” said Alma.

Additionally, effective communication in the pool is absolutely non-negotiable for implementing strategy into games. Creating an inclusive environment has made noticeable improvements to the team’s communication. “I’d say that communication is a huge part of the sport,” said Skye. “We definitely improved our communication by becoming better friends out of the water and also becoming more confident playing together.”

Senior Sloan C., the team’s goalkeeper, went through many of the same struggles that many freshmen athletes face when joining the team in her freshman year. Unlike the three new freshmen, however, Sloan had never played water polo upon joining the team. She is thankful for her teammates for being so welcoming when she first joined the sport and hopes to provide that same support to younger players. “I [felt the] need to give that same sense of comfort to the new freshmen who come in, and the sophomores,” said Sloan. “It’s really important, especially this season, since we’ve been doing so well, to have a strong bond with everyone in the team so we can keep being strong, even when we’re facing harder opponents.”

“Everyone was super welcoming to the three freshmen that came in, including me,” said Alma. “It’s been really nice, because we’ve been able to bond as a team, but we also are able to set goals and go after them.”

Simultaneously, much of the team’s success is supported largely by its seniors, who make up almost half of the nine-player squad: Irene A. and co-captains Skye I., Sloan C., Josephine W. All four players have been on the team since freshman year (except for Skye, who had to miss the 2023-2024 season due to a concussion). The seniors can also remember the team back when their seasons weren’t nearly as glamorous as this year’s. They have put in years of hard work to help build the strong foundation for the team’s current success.

Throughout the season, the seniors knew that they had the resources they needed to succeed — new incoming talent, a tight-knit team, and built-up leadership skills. Their rise from the bottom of the league to a chance at a championship was an opportunity they knew they couldn’t afford to miss. “I think a lot of people are motivated that we have such a good chance this year. After coming from not winning a lot of games and not [being] confident in our skills, [we now have] so many players who have done water polo at the Rose Bowl or have a lot of experience,” said Sloan C. “I think that really motivated us to put in the work.”

As they enter their final year, the seniors are especially aware of how far the team has come. In their first season together, they won just five games. The next season, down to just two. This season, they’re winning consistently and finally getting the recognition that they’ve worked so hard for. “In our experience, [as] the four seniors who have been on the team for all four years, I think we’ve experienced so much loss,” said Skye. “We make an effort to tell the freshmen our history, and for them to know how important it is that we’re so successful and how much it means [for us].”