Athletes of the Week: Water Polo Captains

A yellow blur hurtles from one end of the pool to the other, dipping into the churning surface of the chlorine soaked water. It is shoved down and popped back up, making its way closer and closer to the goal. An athlete shoots out of the water, rising higher and higher, and smoothly guides the glowing yellow ball into the goal.

The girls’ water polo team operates like clockwork, with precision, timing, and seamless coordination. Seniors Mariah Mastrodimos and Catherine Shipps grease the wheels of this machine. Not only are they exceptional athletes, but they lead the girls and push them to be their best.

Mastrodimos started playing water polo the summer after her prep year. "I was interested in the sport because I love swimming, but I liked the idea of a team sport," she said. "I joined a club team in California, and practiced with them over the summer. I practiced with them as a field player, and I was a field player my lower year."

The next year, when Mastrodimos was an upper, the team had an open goalie position. "Coach [Melissa] Pacific asked me to try it, and I ended up really enjoying the position," Mastrodimos said. "This year's team was great--I had so much fun. There were a lot of new people on the team, but we had a great group of returners, too. I'm really proud of the progress that everyone made this season."

Mastrodimos’ coaches and teammates notice her drive and impressive work ethic.

"Mariah is the backbone of the team," Pacific said. "Being a goalie, she sees everything. She makes huge saves in key moments of the game."

"Mariah is one of the most motivated people I have ever met," senior Olivia Jackson said. "She really cares about polo, and I could totally see how invested she was this season. I think her determination and resilience make her successful."

Even though she is very serious about the sport, Mastrodimos is a bright presence on the team. "Mariah always has a smile on her face, no matter what," lower Dana Yu said. "She believes in the team even when we are down and has a constant positive attitude towards everything."

Mastrodimos reciprocates her teammate’s feelings and appreciates the time she has been able to spend on Exeter’s girls’ water polo team.

"My experience with the team these past three years has been amazing, and I'm so grateful to have been a part of such an incredible team," she said. "I love water polo, and I'd like to keep playing, so hopefully I'll be able to play club or something in college."

The other half of the captain duo, senior Catherine Shipps, also starting playing on the team as a lower (her first year at Exeter).

"I guess I just couldn't fathom doing a sport outside of the pool, because I had been swimming so long," Shipps said. "I figured I'd give it a try."

Shipps was a bit nervous to take on the captain role, but has excelled in the position.

"Because I only had about sixteen weeks of water polo under my belt it was a little intimidating to take on being a leader of the team," she said. "However, with a new coach and a new team it was easier to establish a good team mentality. I am a pretty serious person when it comes to sports and work ethic, but Mariah and I kept the team atmosphere lighthearted as much as we could."

"Shipps is very dedicated to her sport and will make sure that the rest of the team stays dedicated and is a no-nonsense kind of girl," Yu said. "She expects one hundred and ten per cent effort at all times and is a great motivator."

"After working with Shipps during swim season, it is obvious she has a fighting personality and never gives up," Jackson added. "But at the same time she has an incredible ability to be calm, collected, and cool."

Shipps will not be playing water polo in college, so this season marks the end of an era for her.

"Each year my experience on the team got better and I improved little by little," Shipps said. "I am not playing water polo for a team in college (I'm attending Ohio State University). This marks the end of my official sports career. I'm sad to leave Exeter but I know the future seasons will bring success for this strong team."

The captains have worked together this season to make the team as strong as possible and led it to the Liquid Four New England Prep School Quarter Finals.

"They lead by example," Pacific said. "They each have a great work ethic, and it carries over to the team. They are simply great role models."

With many new players on the team this year, the captains have worked hard to make everyone feel a part of the tight-knit group. "They've worked really hard with the team this year super helpful to new players and super encouraging," senior Kelly Wolff said. "They're great teammates, always cheerful and ready to answer questions from the new players. They're each great athletes and super key players on our team."

"As a prep, they were great leaders on not only the team, but also for someone new on the team like me," prep Carolina Martinez said. "They're overall great people; they're kind and caring as well as supportive and amazing role models."