Darting across the pool, scoring goal after goal, and playing with peak communication, Co-Captain Senior Jordan Einav stands out as an exceptional water polo player. Her athleticism is clear in every game, but what truly sets her apart is her ability to elevate those around her. As co-captain, she leads by example and pushes her team to work harder and strive for excellence.
Einav started playing water polo in her freshman year of high school and, according to Coach Jackson Zeigler, she’s grown immensely throughout her high school career. “Jordan has grown more confident and reliable. She is seeing the pool really well this year, and has settled naturally into a leadership role. She is more aggressive both offensively and defensively this year, and it’s helping out our team a ton. She is incredibly dedicated to water polo and the team, and she is our leading scorer right now.” Zeigler’s praise speaks volumes about Einav’s ability to adapt and excel. From a promising freshman to lead scorer and captain, her growth showcases how hard she’s worked.
Einav isn’t only the top scorer on the team, she’s also a reliable teammate. Zeigler said, “Her good attitude and passion always keeps the team on the right track. She is among the hardest working girls on the team, and always wants to play every minute of every game. The team rallies around her a lot of the time. She’s also a fun-loving person and a great friend to a lot of the girls.” Einav’s leadership goes beyond the field. She creates an environment where everyone feels supported, making sure her teammates remain positive. Co-Captain Senior Maddie Yoo said, “She brings a lot of great energy, lots of motivation. She makes the practices fun, and I honestly wouldn’t have as good of a time if she wasn’t playing with us. She’s always super positive.” Jordan’s impact on team morale makes a large impact on their success. A positive environment can make all the difference in a game as physically taxing as water polo.
Einav’s passion is evident in her sheer dedication to keeping the team running. According to Zeigler, “Jordan is passionate about the sport and the team. She is organized and helps me manage a lot of the various team logistics.” Yoo said, “She gets everything done; she helps organize things. She led the water polo club and helped do the merch for our team.” Einav continuously puts every ounce of effort into the sport and team that she can. Yoo said, “I’m glad she’s getting recognized. She works so hard for the sake of the team.”
Instead of specializing in a single position, Einav can be placed anywhere on the field depending on her team’s needs. Einav said, “I’m kind of all over. Sometimes I’m on the wings, sometimes I’m guard, sometimes I’m set. I play depending on what the team needs at the time, [but my favorite position is] wing, because you can swim more; there’s more involvement in the game.” Einav’s versatility is one of her strongest traits. Being able to step into any position based on what the situation needs shows her deep understanding of the game. She doesn’t play based on personal preference, but based on what’s best for the team at the moment.
To the freshman and future players on the team, Einav said, “It might seem hard at first, but once you get through the first few weeks it’s worth it. So you just have to keep persevering.” The sport may be hard, but it can be rewarding if you put in the effort.
From being the top scorer, darting across the field playing nearly every position, to being an extraordinary teammate and organizing various components behind the scenes, Einav shines as a truly outstanding player. Yoo said, “I’ve never played with anyone who cared so much, and I’m not just saying that because she’s my best friend. She truly cares so much about everyone. Not only as a player but as a friend.” In the world of high school sports, it’s rare to find someone who has mastered every aspect of what it means to be a leader. Einav’s athletic prowess, leadership, and support of her peers has made a resounding positive impact on her team.