Junior Sahana Sudierddi spends five days a week at 6 a.m. at the Cupertino High School swimming pool for water polo practice. While very few athletes can say they have consistently played and succeeded at a high level in a sport, Sudierddi has done so for eight years.
Sudireddi was first introduced to water polo when she was invited to join her friend’s practice, almost immediately falling in love with the sport.
“[Water polo is] something I found [both] skill and fun in. I have a lot of fun improving and seeing myself improve, that I want to continue growing and become better at it,” Sudireddi said.
While her entry into the sport was seemingly unexpected, she had yet to realize that this would pave the way for a highly successful career in the future, winning many awards through various games and tournaments.
“My journey with water polo developed from something that kept [and] got me in shape, to an activity I genuinely look forward to doing every day,” Sudireddi said. “It has become a part of my everyday life in the best way possible”
Despite being younger than most admitted athletes, Sudireddi qualified for the first round of the Olympic Development Program — an accomplishment that will allow her to meet college scouts — putting her on a fast track to play collegiate water polo.
Sudireddi plays for both the Cupertino varsity girls’ water polo team and San Jose Express, and previously played for Santa Clara Water Polo. Because of her high level of play, Sudireddi faces struggles with lengthy practice sessions and accommodating the mental capacity water polo demands.
“Practice weeks get long and sometimes I have to dish out on what my friends do,” Sudireddi said. “Sometimes I don’t have time for homework. Sometimes I’m really tired. So keeping myself going and reminding myself that I want to continue to play is the hardest part.”
Despite the challenging aspects of playing water polo, Sudireddi’s supportive coaches and teammates have helped her remain motivated through the mental and physical challenges of being a high-level athlete.
“I’ve had such amazing and supportive coaches over the years,” Sudireddi said. “I’m actually really lucky. They’ve supported me through some of my hardest decisions. […] They’ve supported me while I was sick, injured, everything. And my teammates are like a second family to me, just because I’ve been playing with them for so long.”
Sudireddi hopes to further her career as a collegiate athlete, challenging the idea that water polo is a white-dominated sport.
“I’m most proud of being where I am. Water polo was a white-dominant sport, and I [have been] playing competitively for seven years now. So I’m actually really happy with where I am,” Sudireddi said.
Sudireddi’s award as the All-League Most Valuable Goalie is yet another testament to her exceptional skills, which continue to earn her acclaim from her peers and coaches. Sudireddi is looking towards a bright future in water polo.
