Captain Hilary Smith is the lone senior on the 2000-2001 UCSD women’s water polo team, and she will be pursuing a career in politics after graduating this year.
Smith, who was raised in San Diego, accomplished some solid senior-year numbers for the squad.
She was fifth on the team in goals and she placed third on the team in assists, with 16. Smith also came in second for the Tritons in steals with 38.
This season has been especially tough for Smith due to a torn labrum, which will require surgery during the summer. Even with the injury, Smith played well and didn’t allow the pain to bother her.
“”She did not complain,”” said head coach Larry Sanders. “”She was true to herself. She just did it.””
Smith has been voted to the All-Conference second team for the last two years and was also voted to the All-American first team her senior year.
She was this year’s team MVP and led the team in ejections drawn for the second year in a row.
“”She has what I would call a very successful career here,”” Sanders said. “”Hilary has been an example both in and out of the pool – being the only senior on a relatively young team that was, in my mind, a year away from being successful at this level. But with her leadership, they surprised me and had a fantastic year.””
The team defeated major Division I schools this season, including the University of Michigan, University of the Pacific, UC Santa Barbara and San Diego State University.
Smith will graduate with honors in political science and is planning to move to Washington D.C. to work for a congressman.
“”She put in the time for both her studies and water polo,”” Sanders said. “”Basically she just did it, period. She was this year’s captain and through her hard work, showed her teammates what it takes to be successful at whatever you choose to do.””
As Smith departs from UCSD, she has the blessings of her teammates, teachers and coaching staff in whatever endeavors she chooses.
“”I was honored to have her on this year’s team and I know that I will miss her and that her teammates will miss her greatly,”” Sanders said. “”She is what UCSD is all about — having a great academic and sport experience.””
