UCLA women’s water polo’s seniors have laid a foundation for the team’s future generations.
“We are leaving UCLA water polo with examples of how to work hard,” said redshirt senior goalkeeper Sami Hill. “Dedication to learning – and not being afraid to make mistakes – can transform you as a player. I think that’s the biggest thing we’ve left: trusting the process and knowing that you can just be great at something when you first come in.”
On Saturday, Hill and the rest of the team’s seniors will lay the final elements of that foundation at Spieker Aquatics Center as they play the final home game of their collegiate careers against crosstown rival No. 3 USC (21-2, 4-1 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation).
The No. 2-ranked Bruins defeated the Trojans in the two teams’ lone matchup this year at the UCI Invitational. Overall, UCLA (20-2, 4-1) has won three of its last four games against USC.
This last home game will have postseason implications, however, as both UCLA and USC are competing to earn the MPSF’s No. 2 tournament seed, with No. 1 Stanford having clinched the top spot.
“It’s such an honor to play in front of our home crowd. Our last home game is such a big one – against ‘SC,” Hill said. “One of the goals we had before the season was to win every home game, so I think that’s going to be in the back of our minds going into Saturday’s game.”
Bittersweet waters
The Bruin seniors enter their final home game with a mixture of emotions. There’s the excitement of playing the rival Trojans and completing a perfect home season, but also the sadness of departure.
“I guess you could honestly say that it is bittersweet,” said senior attacker Emily Donohoe. “There’s a lot of excitement to go out there and defend our home one last time, but also it’s sad knowing that I won’t have the opportunity again to compete at home for the Bruins.”
Donohoe is the second-leading scorer for the Bruins and has established herself as one of the leaders of the team in her final year at UCLA. Donohoe has scored 32 goals and recorded her season high with five goals against UC Santa Barbara on Jan. 24.
“It’s exciting to think what I’ve accomplished playing here for four years,” Donohoe said. “I haven’t allowed myself to think about (the last home game) because it’s such a big part of me. It will be really sad when it’s over.”
Senior attacker Danielle Ferraro has also shown the potential to become a powerful offensive player throughout this season. Ferraro has scored nine goals this season and has established herself as one of UCLA’s starters after being a reserve player in her first three seasons. Heading into Saturday’s game, Ferraro shared Donohoe’s mixed emotions.
“It has been an amazing experience playing with this (group of seniors). They have pushed me to get better and I think our camaraderie is strong outside the pool so it helps our entire team,” Ferraro said. “It’s been an honor and humbling experience to be a part of this graduating class.”
Outside Donohoe and Ferraro, Hill is the senior who has made perhaps the most significant contributions to UCLA women’s water polo. She broke UCLA’s all-time saves record by making her 747th back in January.
Hill and Donohoe grew up playing against each other. Only 13 years old at the time, Hill said she never imagined that she would be such good friends with Donohoe and graduate with her.
Likewise, Donohoe said that it’s nice not being opponents anymore, but rather teammates.
With the No. 2 MPSF tournament seed up for grabs, Saturday’s game focus is not strictly on Senior Day.
“I’m just ready to play ‘SC,” Hill said. “I’m really looking forward to the game and not really thinking of it like it’s my last time.”