YPSILANTI, Mich.-Eastern Michigan University's women's water polo team just wrapped up their season on April 9. But who knew there was a water polo club?
The club was founded in 2002, by former EMU swimmers, students--including coach Lindsay Barber--and friends. Now they are under the leadership of president Amy Johnson and vice-president Ashley Grady.
The club mainly flies under the campus radar, but the players spend the majority of the school year training for their season, which runs from January to April. Starting in September, the team was at the Michael H. Jones Natatorium twice a week training for the spring.
Once the season started, and the women adjusted to their first female coach, they shifted their focus to their upcoming tournaments.
"Our first tournament was at Grand Valley (State University)," Johnson said. "We did well, but that was more of a learning experience for the team."
Since the club is pretty unknown on campus, they have a small roster-- nine players-- and struggle with recruiting.
"We added four girls this year," Grady said. "Two of the girls had played before but two hadn't."
That meant starting with the basics, such as explaining the rules and overall strategy of the game.
"There were times when coaching was a little nerve-racking," Barber said. "Starting the season with such a young team and having a few girls not know the basics added an extra challenge."
As the season progressed and the team got the hang of treading for an hour in 8-feet of water, they started to show improvements, much to the delight of the veteran players.
"The tournament we hosted was really, really great," Johnson said. "The girls showed a ton of improvement and we beat Western. I was so proud of everybody."
While the team struggled with small numbers and teaching the basics, they also struggled for pool time at the REC-IM.
"Even though the REC tried to work with us for pool time, we are still at the lowest end of the totem pole," Johnson said. "To be able to practice on campus all year, we had to really work with a lot of people and around other teams. We had to be really flexible."
Besides the women's water polo team and the varsity men's and women's swimming and diving team, EMU's pool is also home to the Club Wolverine swimming and diving team.
"They divide the pool into sections and we have to stay in a certain spot from 8 until 9:15 p.m.," Grady said. "Then we get to move the lane lines and have the pool to ourselves."
"It's difficult; it's rough. They try to give us as much time as they can, but it doesn't prepare us for the tournaments we go to."
The team also fights for space on the pool deck to store their equipment.
"Originally we had big goals, but we lost our locker to the swim team," Grady said. "We couldn't keep them in the old storage space and we weren't allowed to keep them on the deck. So we went to Student Government and they gave us the money to buy collapsible goals. They were really great."
The players are responsible for raising money to pay the team dues and keep the team going. The dues go to paying Barber's salary, tournament fees and travel expenses.
"The girls really stepped up this year with fundraising," Grady said. "Three of the girls went out and found sponsors. And this was the first year that Student Government helped. They gave us money for new balls and team suits, too."
Even with the tough road, Grady said every player on the team loves water polo and is committed to the team.
"It's hard being a small team and being the president," Johnson said. "But all the girls feel it, too."
Despite the warm smiles and cheerful demeanors, these players are tough and face rough competitors when they jump in the pool.
"We lost one of our girls at a tournament game against Central (Michigan University)," Grady said. "Their team is co-ed guys and girls. They're good but dirty. One of the guys 'accidentally' punched Becca Robinson in the head."
Robinson left the game with a concussion. As a veteran rugby player, this was Robinson's fourth concussion. Robinson and coach Barber agreed she needed to sit out the rest of the season.
Despite the aggression and chance of injury, all the women love playing. Maybe it's the team camaraderie or the adrenaline rush from trying to drown another player while they're trying to drown you? Who knows.
"It's a lot of fun and every new girl has already said they are coming back next year," Grady said.
As for making life easier and becoming a varsity sport, coach Barber said the team doesn't really have a lot of say in the matter.
"Originally, we tried to become a varsity sport when the team first started," Barber said. "But we didn't have enough girls so the school picked another club."
"The school has to have an equal number of guys varsity teams and girls teams, so right now they aren't looking to add another girls' team."
In the meantime, the team is looking to up its collegiate status.
"Our first step is to get a CWPA affiliation," Barber said.
If the team can get their numbers higher and earn the Collegiate Water Polo Association membership, that would open the door for the team to get insurance, national recognition, a ranking and invitations to more tournaments.
"We'd love for the team to grow and add more tournaments," Grady said. "But our biggest priority is to focus on our game- playing smart and not letting it get stressful. Our team goal is for the girls to get that connection as a team; to come and have fun."
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