It was a season of victory and hard work for the girls water polo team this season. From the beginning, they proved themselves to be top contenders, playing and winning many tough matches. With many well-played games, the team advanced to the Marin County Athletic League (MCAL) finals and was crowned champion.
Junior Holly Hovey secured the MCAL player of the year award. This momentum carried the Falcons into the Division I semi-finals, taking them farther than last year.
“We had a really strong team this year, but our close games really came down to how we prepared for them mentally. Holly and Sylvie [Fine] were very good at hyping our team up and getting us in the right mindset,” said sophomore Taylor Fahy.
The Falcon’s success wasn’t just about athletic ability; it was about mentality. Their pre-game routines, pep talks, and trust in one another created the mental toughness that carried them through challenging games and ultimately helped secure the MCAL title. Although the team encountered challenges throughout the season, their ability to push through setbacks ultimately led to success.
The Archie Williams water polo season started the week before the first day of school, kicking it off with “hell week,” where coaches decide the varsity team and training begins. Throughout the first months of the school year, the Falcons scrimmaged with many different teams to help them prepare for the season. The team also participated in multiple pre-season tournaments, competing against schools from all around the Bay Area, which helped them identify areas for improvement and prepare for their season.
“At the beginning of the season, we had to play really good teams, and we were forced to dive right into it. It was really hard because we were losing so much, but I think being around each other really helped us get through it mentally. After we focused on our attitudes and made sure everything else was alright, we started winning more games,” Holly said.
The Falcons’ success this year also came from team chemistry, as this season taught many players lessons that went beyond basic skill and strategy.
“This year, the team became a cohesive unit. At the beginning of the year, they were still learning to play together and to figure out what each other’s strengths and weaknesses were, and by the end of the year, they were a tight-knit group and played off of each other’s strengths and supported each other’s weaknesses,” said coach Todd Duplanty.
Though individual players are strong on their own, team chemistry and bonding outside of school are essential for building a well-rounded, connected group, ultimately improving the team’s performance.
“This year, the team chemistry was on a whole different level compared to last year because this year we had better leaders. We did a lot of team bonding activities outside of the pool, which really helped us win a lot of games,” Holly said.
Throughout the rest of the season, the team pushed forward to secure its spot in the MCAL semifinals against Redwood High School. The players were determined to win and entered with motivation, eager to beat the team that had eliminated them in the MCAL semifinals the previous year. An intense game with a 6-4 victory brought the team to the MCAL finals against Tamalpais High School.
“I think the team’s leaders are the reason that the team was able to come together and be successful the way they were […]. They took it upon themselves to start making changes and kind of pulling the team together,” Duplanty said.
The game ended with a 13-7 victory for the Falcons, marking a rewarding end to the season.
“Winning MCALS felt surreal. During the game, it did not feel real, and I wanted it so bad because last year we lost to Redwood in the semi-finals,” Holly said.
As the girls continued on past MCALs into their North Coast Section (NCS) games, they kept their high spirits and positive attitude, enabling them advance to the semi-finals in another high-stakes game against Las Lomas. Despite an outstanding defensive performance by freshman goalie Lulu Poser, the Falcons were unable to secure a place in the NCS finals, with the Falcons losing 9-12.
In the end, the girls water polo team proved that their season was defined not only by their wins and titles but also by their growth, leadership, and ability to work together. As they look ahead to next season, the foundation they built this year will continue to push them forward.
“Moving on to next year, I want to make sure everyone is being nice to each other and being very inclusive because that is my top priority. I want everyone to be considered equal,” Holly said.
