Water Polo was introduced for the first time this fall season. Since the sport is not popular with all 5A schools, the Rangers played teams across multiple divisions, such as Canyon Lake and Davenport.

Katherine Hilliard is the new head aquatics coach this year. 

“I’m from North Carolina–I moved down here this summer because my husband is in the military,” Hilliard said. “I grew up swimming for approximately twelve years. I was state champion in highschool but chose not to swim varsity at college level.”

The team’s close relationship allowed for spectators at every game.

“I’ve always really liked the team aspect,” Hilliard said. “Everybody is really close, all the swimmers and water polo players cheer for each other during each other’s games.”

Many water polo athletes are also on the swim team.

“The best part of being in the team are my teammates because it feels like a family,” sophomore Dylan Blacklock said. 

The girls finished 3rd in district, and the boys placed fourth.

“My favorite memory was probably when we won our first game against Pieper– both our girls and boys won so that was a good first memory,” Hilliard said. 

“The worst memories are definitely the losses because sometimes we definitely got beat by quite a bit since this is our first year playing,” junior Kaylee Carmichael said. “But the wins were always super rewarding and super fun to celebrate together.” 

The team practiced every morning Monday through Friday. 

“We’ve definitely grown a lot since the beginning of the season,” Hilliard said. “The boys and girls have improved a lot with their strategy, endurance and passing the ball in the pool.”