Women's Club Water Polo at ASU has put together a remarkable season, so far earning a No. 11 national ranking and establishing itself as a highly competitive program. The Sun Devils' rise into the top 15 reflects not only its talent in the pool but also its discipline, chemistry and determination.
From the start of the season, the Sun Devils demonstrated that they would be a team to watch. Competing in early games against highly ranked opponents, including the current No. 5-ranked University of California-San Diego, the team quickly found its rhythm and easily began to fit in.
"I feel like we have a really good relationship inside and outside the water," senior Molly Bagniewski said. "We trust each other, and we just know that whether we win or lose, it's gonna be okay and we're all gonna be friends, so we should just try and have fun."
ASU's fast-paced offensive style, combined with a lockdown defense, allowed them to control games and still come out on top even in tightly contested matchups.
Rather than relying on a single standout player, ASU's success has come from a balanced approach, with multiple athletes contributing both offensively and defensively.
"We always have team bonding or anything connecting us throughout the year," freshman center Emma Luiten said. "It helps us grow as a team and know who we are and how we can actually connect with each other."
A key highlight of the season has been the Sun Devils' consistency. High-level performances throughout multiple tournaments regularly placed them near the top of their bracket and earned important wins that elevated their national ranking. This includes sweeping their last home tournament, which they take pride in.
Leadership has played a significant role in the team's success. Senior players have provided stability and experience, helping guide the team through challenging moments and setting a standard for effort and positivity.
"Leadership roles have played a really good (role in) keeping us on track with everything we need to do and making sure we have everything set," Luiten said. "We never fall behind."
For President Payton Nelson, someone who's been on the team for all four of her college years, she takes some credit, but knows that it takes all of the leaders to bring the club's success.
"I have a very good board, and it's a team effort to get our club to where it is," Nelson said. "We've been a very successful club, at least for the last four years I've been on the team."
At the same time, newer players have stepped into important roles, demonstrating the depth of the roster and the program's ability for these young athletes to take control at high levels. This blend of experience and skill has created a cohesive team that plays with high confidence and trust in one another.
"We are always making each other better, and we're never getting mad if anybody makes a mistake," Bagniewski said. "We all make mistakes; we're all here to support each other."
Luiten is one of those new players showing her strength and dedication to her sport. Her deep passion for water polo as a whole, as well as her love for her teammates, shows in and out of the water.
"I feel more connected with the people around me, making more friends, and it goes a long way," Luiten said. "It helps you in the long run when you look back at it, it was worth being in it, knowing how much you have grown and how much experience you've got."
Earning the No. 11 ranking is a major milestone for the program and a sign of the hard work the women have put in throughout the season. It reflects not only in their results but also in their growth as a team, as they steadily improved with each competition.
Looking ahead, the ASU women's club water polo team is focused on keeping its momentum going. With a solid foundation already in place, they plan to keep improving their players while building a bond they will never forget.
Based on how they've performed so far, they have a strong chance of making a deep run at nationals while continuing to prove why they belong among the top teams in the country.
Edited by Niall Rosenberg, Jack McCarthy and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at leevans4@asu.edu and follow @LexiEvans_804 on X.
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Lexi is freshman studying sports journalism and minoring in public relations. This is her first semester working with the state press. She has also worked with Blaze Radio, Sun Devil Daily and Inferno Intel.
