Indiana University Athletics
Powell, Nominated Water Polo Team Captain for 2019 Season
1/8/2019 1:36:00 PM | Women's Water Polo
BLOOMINGTON, Ind – Indiana University water polo junior Emily Powell has been nominated this year's team captain by her fellow team members for the upcoming 2019 season. After losing last season's graduating class of five seniors, the returning juniors knew there was a large role to be filled and they chose Powell to lead the way.
Throughout her career at Indiana, Powell has appeared in 63 games contributing, 18 goals, 33 assists and 36 steals. She earned a spot on the CWPA Women's Varsity Scholar-Athlete Team (Outstanding) and an ACWPA All-Academic honoree (Outstanding), taking pride in both her academic and athletic success.
An Australian native, Powell left her entire life behind to purse her passion in water polo and gain a unique experience playing in the United States. She came to Indiana in January of 2017 with just three weeks before the season opener against CSU Bakersfield (1/20), but quickly began to show her dominance in the pool.
When she arrived in the U.S. for her freshman year, Powell was nervous to start a new chapter without any of her family or friends by her side. Luckily, things started to change with the more time she spent working with her teammates. Powell soon began to find her place on the team by building connections and relying on them to be her primary support system. The strong relationships she created throughout the season with the girls translated to her adjustments made not only to the higher level of physical, mental and emotional demands it took to compete in collegiate athletics, but the overall American lifestyle as well.
Powell's transition to the foreign environment has helped shape the way she intends to lead the team during this upcoming season. She stated, "I really want to have a very strong culture and a very tight pond initially, and just be a support system for the team. I want to create a positive environment that's also competitive." Powell plans to use her own experience as an outsider to create a welcoming and positive atmosphere while maintaining a strong work ethic among the team.
Powell's success in the U.S. has been put to the test as she participates in the Australian Junior Team League. Last summer, Powell earned a spot on the team and was honored with the opportunity to represent her home country. She traveled to the Netherlands and Hungary competing for Australia against teams from all over the world.
Over this past winter break, Powell returned to the Australian Junior Team to attended a week-long training camp in hopes to be chosen for the 20&U Australian female team set to compete in the 2019 FINA World Women's Junior Water Polo Championship held in Portugal. With a few more training camps to attend, Powell must plan to work harder than ever to ensure her position on the team in August.
For now, Powell's focus remains back in the U.S. as Indiana prepare to begin their 2019 season. With this year's season opener against UC San Diego (1/19) at the UCSB Winter Invite, the team is gearing up to show their expertise in the pool. After months of preparation and the new transition into the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, the Hoosiers are ready to make their mark. With Powell leading the way, the 2019 water polo team is prepared to show how their hard work and support for one another in the off season has created a team that is a force to be reckoned with.
For all the latest on Indiana University water polo, be sure to follow the team at @IndianaWPolo on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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