On April. 23, the girls water polo team gathered for a special afternoon of learning, reflection, and growth, this time, however, not in the pool but in the classroom. The team had the opportunity to engage in a workshop led by a former Raider student athlete, Khara Vessel ‘15, who is now a sports psychologist and mental health fellow at the University of Miami.

With the State championship approaching, the focus of the session was to increase self-confidence, manage pressure at high stakes, and cultivate a resilient mindset. This was done through interactive exercises and open conversations. Khara guided the athletes and coaches through key mental challenges that the team will commonly face in competition, such as how to recover from mistakes, deal with performance anxiety, and overcome the negative thoughts in the face of adversity.. 

“The workshop helped our water polo team connect on a deeper level,” sophomore Chiara Ingletto said. 

“ It gave us a chance to open up, understand each other’s struggles, and build trust. We were able to clear up tension and improve our communication. Being vulnerable with one another made us feel more united. It reminded us that we are not just teammates, we are family,” Ingletto said. 

 Khara highlighted that success in water polo and in life is not solely determined by physical performance, but also by emotional awareness and team support. One of the important messages she left with the girls was the need to rely on one another. Encouragement, communication, and trust are essential components of forming not only a competitive but also a cohesive team.

“I believe that everything will go well if we use the tactics and lessons we learned from Ms.Kahra Vessel, and we play team ball, we have all the chances to bring the championship title home,” senior Mariana Bernal said.

As the girls continue to train for states, they now do so with not only physical preparation, but with a stronger mental game and more connected than ever.