Water polo is a demanding sport.
It requires mental and physical agility to tread water constantly while passing a ball and enduring contact from other players. For the UNC women’s club water polo team to keep up with the demands of the sport, its training schedule consists of two weekly practices, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:45 to 10:30 p.m. in Koury Natatorium: one focused on skill development and the other on game simulation with scrimmages.
Sometimes, the team even throws in an extra weightlifting session on the weekend to work on strength and conditioning outside the pool.
The team's practices are structured with an agenda of what they want to accomplish that night, but in any spare moment, players are found chatting with one another and cracking jokes. For them, water polo is a community — “a funny, quirky sisterhood” — where their laughter and support for each other drive them to be better competitors, sophomore goalie Camden Connolly said.
The team has become a place where the players grow not only as athletes but also as people through the lasting friendships and connections they build, even with members of other teams. From first-years to seniors, no matter the level of experience, all are welcomed with open arms, creating an inclusive environment that people cannot help but want to be a part of.
“Basically we're just a big family, and we have a lot of fun together,” co-president and junior Sam Carew said. “But when it comes down to it, we always lock in and get serious during a game.”
Water polo hosted its annual Tar Heel Invitational last Friday to Sunday at Koury Natatorium. Teams came from all over North Carolina as well as Virginia to compete, including high school teams, amateur clubs and James Madison and Virginia's club squads. And while the Tar Heels went 1-4 over the weekend, they stood out from the others due to their team spirit and connection.
“We try and have as much fun as we can, even though sometimes the coaches aren't all for that,” senior Skye Taylor said. ”Sometimes, we get sprayed with water when we take too long to get in the pool.”
From highfiving each other during substitutions to strong communication, it was evident that the team's camaraderie is a key factor in their connections in the pool. Even in the moments following defeat, the team was laughing.
