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TEAMWORK: Players start practice with some passing warm ups by treading water and passing around the ball for approximately 15 minutes.
The Women’s Water Polo team kicks off the season with some fun captain-run, polo-based practices
WRITTEN BY EMMA BISHOP
Last year, the captain’s practices for water polo were more focused on getting into shape for the season, but this year the captains have other plans. Preseason training can be essential to help new players develop their ability to participate in new sports.
This year’s captains are focusing on getting players ready to play in games. “We all want to have a fun season,” junior captain Marissa Genske said. “We are more focused on teaching the newer players how to play the game and what each position is.”
Learning to play the game was something senior Sophia Marr said she wish she had learned earlier in the season.
“Last year the captains had a plan, but it wasn’t very polo based,” Marr said. “It was more running laps around the school and sit-ups overdoing polo-based things. I didn’t learn how to egg beater until the first actual practice of the season.”
During the first few practices, the captains had players swim a short set to get warmed up. Then they would get right into passing. Passing is a crucial part of the game.
“About 100% of the game is passing,” Genske said. “If you can’t pass, it’s hard to play the game.”
After passing, players would do some shooting and defense work. To end off practice, the athletes play some technique games.
“[The captains] explain everything,” freshman Korinne Wilson said. “They make sure everyone knows what they are doing. This helps me learn how to do everything and know how it will go in a game.”
Doing these drills can really improve the way you play the game.
Since water polo is such a small sport in Dexter, the team has to spend a bit more time advertising. Sophomore Alexis Roller said she only heard about the team from other water polo athletes. “But before that I had never heard of it,” Roller said.
This year the captains were extra prepared for the season.
“We met up a few times and talked about expectations at practices and games,” Genske said. “[We] did everything before it started so we aren’t rushing.”
For Wilson and fellow freshman Alison Genske, they both feel ready for practices and to play in games due to these preseason practices.
“I know the rules now [during captain practices] and didn’t last year,” Marr said.
Being prepared is a crucial part of preseason planning and when your players are ready, your team is sure to have a great season.
