MSU has earned top-three finishes in each of its last three seasons in the Big Ten Conference and consistently competes for the top spot and national rankings. The Spartans’ most recent ranked season came in 2024, when they were No. 9 and earned a trip to Texas to compete at nationals.

Club President, Senior Sarah Olsen, explained what it meant getting to be a part of nationals. 

“Our sophomore year we had the chance to go to nationals, even though we didn’t win Big Ten championships, and that was a super amazing experience,” said Olsen.

Though success is always the goal, for this team it's not the only focus. This team’s mission, above all else, is creating an inclusive environment, welcoming players of any level to join their team and the community they have built.

As a freshman in her first year with the team, Sora Page has quickly come to appreciate the team’s strong bond.

“Here, truly it does feel like a family and it’s just me having fun with my friends,” said Sora Page. “It’s not something super competitive, of course we go into competition, but I don’t really see it as that I’m just like ‘Oh yeah, me and my friends are going to go play a game.’” 

This team has brought people of all different years, skill levels, and backgrounds together in a way that few things can. 

The roster consists of 11 graduating seniors, many of which have been part of the team all four years of their college experience. For these seniors, it was never just about playing water polo. It ended up being a huge part of their social lives and shaped their time at MSU.

From chanting on the sideline, to getting Tasty Twist as a team after Thursday practice, to competing at nationals, this team has given seniors memories that they won’t forget and will look back on throughout their lives. 

Seniors, Club President Sarah Olsen and Vice President Namika Page, reflected on their four years being a part of this team.

“With water polo looking back, and in college in general, I only remember all the good. I remember all of the fun things I’ve done with the team. I remember going to nationals, going to Texas sophomore year,” said Namika Page. “I always think about our team bonding events, even the horrible ones."

“I dreaded doing tournaments in high school with all my other teammates. This, I’ve never had a bad tournament with these girls,” said Olsen. “It’s been so fun to get to know every single one of them, and I’m going to be really sad to leave.”

These seniors have grown into leaders and role models for the many underclassmen who make up the rest of the roster. The team continues to grow each year, along with its popularity. Despite a large graduating class, the seniors have full faith in the underclassmen not only to carry on their legacy, but to build one of their own.

“This year there’s 11 of us graduating, but we also got a lot of incoming freshmen, and we have a larger underclassmen group in our club, so I’m excited that will carry on even after we graduate,” said Olsen.

Even though the underclassmen haven’t shared the pool with their teammates for years like the seniors, this team has still had a big impact on them. Freshman Hannah Brady emphasized what being a part of this team has meant to her.

“It just gave me a good opportunity to socialize and meet new people. I’ve met so many good friends already,” said Brady. “I think joining the team was just a way to put myself out there, and now continuing to play and hangout with everyone, it’s something I look forward to at the end of the day.”

The women’s club water polo team has built a strong program centered around togetherness and inclusivity, making friendships that will last a lifetime; but don’t underestimate them. In the pool, it’s their teamwork and competitiveness that leads to their success as they continue to achieve new heights.