In middle school and her freshman year, senior Ani Hovsepyan played volleyball but never felt pushed out of her comfort zone. Playing on lower-level teams, she remembers lacking motivation to keep playing. But then, during the winter of Hovsepyan’s freshman year, two juniors announced that the girls water polo team could use some new players. Hovsepyan had always loved to swim, so she decided to give the new sport a try.
At first, “it was a slap in the face,” said Hovsepyan. Because the team was so small, she ended up as a starting player, without even knowing what each whistle meant. She initially found the sport intimidating, but quickly saw herself improving and becoming more useful to her team and her motivation quickly grew as well. After her freshman season, Hovsepyan began to play club water polo, which she has continued to play throughout her high school years.
Her coaches, Hovsepyan noted, are some of her top inspirations, pushing her and her teammates to try their hardest and encouraging them that they could do anything they put their minds to. Hovsepyan’s co-captain, senior Eden Greene, also inspired her by playing with intense focus and motivating everyone around her to follow her example.
Hovsepyan’s journey has brought both triumphs and unexpected struggles. The recent fires shocked and devastated the Poly community. While Hovsepyan and teammates saw their season paused and their games canceled, they also found solace in coming back to practice after a two-week break.
“The pool ended up being a place of comfort and we all came together to support each other and to work extra hard to get back into shape and finish the season strong,” Hovsepyan shared. “Having the ability to come together as a team and support each other is such a great way to show our care for each other.”
Throughout this season, Hovsepyan has led her team to an undefeated 6-0 league record, guiding and teaching them with mastery. On offense, she helped the team develop a fluid and strategic approach, while on defense, they learned the importance of communication in strengthening and unifying the team.
“I am so grateful to have played this sport,” said Hovsepyan. “It is a beautiful and challenging sport which is like no other. It taught me confidence, teamwork, cooperation, endurance and so many more life lessons that I will benefit from for the rest of my life.”
Her legacy lives on in the up-and-coming players she has taught and developed.
“Ani is a really encouraging captain, she always helps us before games,” said sophomore Danica Hua. “She helps us improve on our mistakes and helps some of the less experienced players to adapt well to the game, and she thinks really quickly during the games and helps us adapt to whatever our opponents throw at us.”