Imagine treading water for 28 minutes.

Now imagine treading water for 28 minutes while trying to fight
off brutal kicking, grabbing and scratching from an opponent who
would like nothing better than to rip the ball out of your hands.
Water polo has been called one of the most physically demanding
sports in existence — and for good reason. Only in this sport
is there an entire physical component of the game that takes place
under water and out of sight of the spectators in the stands. And
this is where the real battles take place. Each player on a water
polo team has a distinct role to fill, and when everyone is doing
their job properly, the team can resemble a well-oiled machine,
gliding effortlessly through the water.

In its four short years of existence, the Michigan water polo
team has achieved unparalleled success, compiling a record of
92-41-1 that includes a 32-0 conference record and four Central
Water Polo Association conference titles. What is the recipe for
success? Sprinkle in seven hard-working role-players, throw in a
dynamic coach and a dash of healthy superstition, and ... Voila!
The result is the most dominant water polo team east of the
Mississippi.

Left-handed Driver

Name: Jo Antonsen

Year: Junior

Hometown: Agoura Hills, Calif.

Position Breakdown: As a left-handed water polo player
— which is extremely rare — Antonsen has a distinct
advantage over her opponents. “Lefties are more set for
another side of the pool,” Antonsen said. “We
definitely have a better edge than right-handed people. I have a
better field of vision being left-handed.” Antonsen says that
a lot of players have trouble guarding lefties, and will typically
guard the wrong shoulder, which frees her up for dangerous spin
moves. Left-handed players can also attack the cage from a better
angle, which most goalies are not used to seeing. Coach Matt
Anderson agrees that southpaw water polo players are ahead of the
game. “I really am a fan of left-handers,” Anderson
said. “Water polo is made for right-handers, so if
you’re left-handed, you can really dominate — it poses
a lot of difficult problems for the other team. Everything
you’ve learned growing up, you have to do opposite (to guard
a left-hander).”

Water Whisper: Antonsen is often the butt of the
team’s jokes because of her unique status as one of only
three lefties on the entire team. “We always call her
southpaw, ” teammate Megan Hausmann jokes. “Anything
she does wrong, we say, ‘It’s OK, it’s just
because you’re a lefty’ and ‘It’s OK if you
want to be a righty.’ We just like to pick on her for
that.”

Goalie

Name: Betsey Armstrong

Year: Junior

Hometown: Ann Arbor

Position Breakdown: As the goalkeeper, Armstrong’s
obvious job is to keep the ball from getting into the net. However,
she also must serve as the team’s eagle eye, as how she can
get a look at the entire pool from her position in the net.
“My key goal (in the pool) is that I am always aware of what
is going on on defense,” Armstrong said. “I can see all
of the different positions and can see where the defenders are
getting open shots, so I tell my teammates where to go.”
Armstrong’s career as goalkeeper has been outstanding to say
the least: In addition to being a two-time All-American, she is
Michigan’s career leader in every goalkeeping stat, and has a
chance to post her 1,000th career block this season.

Water Whisper: “I always like to do lunges in front
of the cage every time I am in a new pool to make sure I know the
positioning and everything,” Armstrong said. In keeping with
the unique nature of the sport, the goal is known as “the
cage” in water polo.

2-Meter Defensive Guard

Name: Megan Hausmann

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: San Diego, Calif.