While many think the Staples’ pool is empty after swim season in the winter, they are wrong. The girls’ water polo team takes over the pool, vigorously sprinting back and forth and working on passing and shooting drills.

Girls’ water polo is just one of two girls’ water polo teams in the FCIAC; the other is Greenwich. Staples had their first game of the season against Greenwich on April 8 and lost 24-8.

Last year the team had a difficult season and ended up without any wins. “The team was in a transition year. We lost a lot of good seniors, and we had to make up for that with juniors,” Caroline Gray ’17, team captain, said. “We didn’t do very well, but I think that this year is going to be great. The upperclassmen have really stepped up, and the younger girls are learning really quickly.”

Since most public schools don’t have water polo  teams, Staples games are primarily played against private school teams, which gives their opponents an advantage in recruiting and having generally superior facilities. Their schedule this year includes games against Choate Rosemary Hall, Suffield Academy, Hopkins and Hotchkiss.

Even with this difficult schedule, the players remain optimistic and willing to work hard. “I think we have a great shot [at winning] this year. We are strong, prepared and determined to win and do our best,” Kristina Wasserman ’17 said.

With a new head coach, Danilo Giraldo, the girls are ready to make changes for this season. “I’m trying to give them all my knowledge of waterpolo,” Giraldo said. “There’s a lot they have to learn but if they follow every step and pay attention they can learn pretty well.”