Not every athlete is an all-around athlete; the versatility of athletes is carved and honed through years of hard work and practice. Junior Lori Berberian that rare breed of athletes, playing whole set, set guard, point, and utility driver for Glendale High School’s varsity girls water polo team.

Berberian has dedicated in a countless hours to water polo, on and off season, since the summer before her freshman year. “My team usually practices all throughout the summer until season for three or four hours a day,” Berberian said. “Once season starts in November we usually have double day practices, meaning one practice before school and another right after. We also have Saturday practices.” All of that hard work consistently pays off, with her team making it to league finals and qualifying for CIF for three consecutive years.

“What I love most about it is the camaraderie I’ve developed between teammates. Your teammates are the only other people you know who share the same passion for the same sport and endure the long, dreadful hours of practicing it,” she said. “You get to know your teammates and grow extremely close. I know for a fact that I have made lifelong friends by playing waterpolo in high school.”

Although Berberian has made friendships through waterpolo, the sport also comes with its challenges; this interview actually occurred after Berberian finished up a physical therapy session for a water polo sustained injury. “The worst part about the sport is how violent it can get,” she said. “The spectators might think they see and understand the game, but no one really knows what water polo is like until they look under the water. Kicking, scratching punching, wedgies, the whole bit!”

Along with the harsh physical aspects of the sport, its demanding time aspects take a toll on the student athletes. “It is extremely hard finding a balance between academics and water polo, especially when you are taking AP classes,” Berberian said. “But when you really love the sport you find ways to maintain good grades and achieve an overall balanced study routine.”

Despite the difficult journey that water polo poses, she plans on continuing to play during her senior year. “I play water polo not because I am going I be the next Olympic gold medalist but because I love the sport. I also love my teammates and enjoy the games and practices we spend together,” Berberian said. “Whether my team wins or loses we all share the same goal and intention: to improve ourselves as athletes and push each other to our own limit.”