By Juliette Guyman and Samhita Holla
Westmont Girls Varsity Water Polo captain Maya Bourne is leading her team through a winning record of 10-2 to start the season. She uses her competitiveness, confidence, and ambition in the water to support her teammates. With this year’s team having a majority of new players, Maya displays her strengths as an incredible captain, and shares her thoughts below.
What are your goals for this year?
My goal this year is to lead our team while making sure we are all supportive of each other and creating the best environment for our team. Especially with new girls, we should all be learning as much as we can.
What is your position on the team?
I play the 4 and the 5, so anywhere on the right side mostly.
What is your favorite part of water polo?
The team aspect! Getting to hangout with my friends and communicating during the games. We all have such good chemistry with our teammates and I always know where they are in a game before I even see them.
When did you start playing water polo?
November of 2018 or 2019 – so around 7 years ago.
Do you have any pre-performance rituals or traditions?
I love to eat a ginormous burrito before or in between games. Also, I blast some super upbeat music and do a little bit of resistance bands before I get into the pool.
What is the funniest memory you have from practices or games?
I love playing the games five lives and pairs where we just get to goof off and have fun playing with our teammates.
What is your favorite part of playing a water polo game?
When it is a really close game and your teammates on the bench are super loud. Especially when it’s a really close win!
Do you play water polo outside of school? If so, where?
I play at SJA waterpolo, which stands for San Jose Almaden.
Do you have any advice for incoming water polo players?
Stick with it! It’s definitely hard to get the fundamentals down but once you get it, it’s truly the most fun you’ll ever have and it’s such a special sport to be able to play.