The Harvard women’s water polo team is riding high, showing no signs of slowing down. This past weekend’s dominant 16-9 win over Brown pushed their streak to an impressive 14 games while also marking a significant milestone for head coach Ted Minnis—his 250th career victory.
This remarkable run is record-breaking. Ranked No. 8 in the nation, the Crimson holds an exceptional 16-1 record; their standout wins include ones against competitive programs like Princeton, University of California San Diego, and the University of Michigan. This is the team’s best start to a season since 1989 and marks the longest active winning streak among the top-10-ranked women’s water polo teams. With every victory, Harvard is strengthening its position in the collegiate water polo scene, steadily rising in the rankings.
Standout goalie Orli Cooper ’28 has won Defensive Player of the Week four times this season—every gameweek. Her performance has also recently earned her Harvard’s Student-Athlete of the Week. For Cooper, it does not feel real. “Each week, I expected to lose the streak, but then I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the results,” she said. “Even though it’s my name on the page, I wouldn’t be able to make any saves without the support from my team.” Cooper’s team spirit is inspiring, as she proves to be a force to be reckoned with. In addition to earning Player of the Week honors, she plays for the USA Youth National Team and secured fourth place in the U18 World Championships in Chengdu, China, this past September.
“We all share a common goal of pushing ourselves to succeed in our sport while also prioritizing academics and supporting each other as individuals. This balance has created strong and lasting friendships outside of the pool,” said attacker Lucy Berkman ’27. This sense of team chemistry was a universal theme among the women’s water polo players interviewed by the Independent. “The team has given me a sense of community, and the unwavering support from my teammates extends beyond the sport we play. We have built a culture rooted in trust, encouragement, and genuine care for one another,” she added.
A sport like water polo needs teamwork and communication for a group to succeed. With players constantly in motion, carrying out quick decisions under pressure, and continuously coordinating offensive and defensive strategies, effectively working together is essential. As the Harvard women’s water polo team has demonstrated this season, their success stems from a deep sense of trust and cohesion. Each player on this year’s team has confidence in one another, demonstrated by the fact that every field player has scored at least once this season. They rely on their teammates for guidance and play execution while in the water.
The supportive, hard-working, and welcoming environment that the team has cultivated has been integral for new teammates. Defender Niki Piovan’s ’28 transition from Greece to the United States has been difficult, both in terms of academics and adjusting to a new environment. “However, the team has made this process so much easier by creating such a welcoming and encouraging atmosphere. I have been part of many teams, both in my club and with the national team, but none have been quite like this one. The sense of unity, trust, and commitment among my teammates here is truly special, and it has made my experience all the more meaningful,” she said.
Like Cooper, Piovan competed in the U18 World Championships but with the Greek National Team, which secured second place. She further showcased her talent at the U19 European Championship in Croatia, helping Greece earn a third-place finish. “Being able to represent Harvard while also bringing my own background and experience from Greece to the game has been an incredible opportunity,” she said, reflecting the pride she takes in these experiences.
Co-captain and attacker Erin Kim ’25 highlighted that the team’s growth stems from each member’s unwavering commitment and dedication to the sport. “We always push each other to be better every day. While talent is a big contributor to our success, I believe our mindset matters even more. Our goal every game is to play together and play for each other—something that is only possible because of the trust and love we share,” she said.
Utility and co-captain Ella Schneider ’26 emphasized her counterpart’s sentiments: “The group this year is so special because they genuinely are my best friends, and that connection is clear in the pool. This year, we are doing things our program has never done before, and it’s because we have this structure of support and positivity both inside and outside the pool,” she said. “Me and the co-captain Erin have worked really hard to help cultivate a supportive, calm, and happy environment on the team. Being captain of this group is such a privilege, and there is no other group I would rather beat program records with.”
Over spring break, the team will head to California to play Stanford and the University of Southern California, the nationally ranked No. 1 and No. 2 teams, respectively. They also have a second-round conference game against Michigan, and rematch games against the University of California San Diego and Indiana, the latter of which is the team’s only loss of the season. “The expectation is that we bring energy, encourage one another, and contribute to a supportive environment,” Berkman explained.
Their trip to the West Coast is significant: historically, water polo has long been dominated by California (twelve of fifteen members of the Harvard women’s water polo team are from the state), where the sport is immensely popular and the collegiate scene is successful. This has led to a stigma that East Coast teams are not as competitive.
However, this narrative is beginning to change. East Coast teams are making their mark, performing strongly in matches and increasing their NCAA appearances. And this year, Harvard is currently on top: out of the top 10 schools ranked in the Collegiate Water Polo Association, Harvard is the only women’s water polo team from the East. Other East Coast schools are not far behind, but this statistic is a testament to the strength and dominance of this year’s Harvard women’s team.
So, what is next on the team’s mind? Winning the CWPA conference championship, all of the interviewees shared. Currently ranked No. 1 in their conference, they remain undefeated in the first round of conference games, and a victory would mark the team’s first-ever conference championship.
“As this is my final season, I want to get the best closure possible with ending my career. Ideally, this would be in the form of our first-ever conference championship in April and our first trip to the NCAA tournament,” said center Kaity Greenwald ’25. “However, while these are uncertainties, I am certain that I will leave this season feeling accomplished because of the relationships I have made and the athlete this program has shaped me into.”
“I confidently say our culture is the best it has been,” said Greenwald, and it is one they are determined to carry forward into the future. “I’m excited to continue growing as a player within this program,” said Piovan. “The foundation we’re setting this season will carry forward into future years, and I can’t wait to see how we continue to push ourselves and elevate the team’s success.”
Yet now the team is focused on the upcoming games, with a potential championship on the horizon to cap off the season. “Ending a historic season with a title would be the perfect culmination of our efforts and a defining moment in our own careers, as well as school history,” Berkman said.
Layla Chaaraoui ’26 (laylachaaraoui@college.harvard.edu) is the Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Independent.