The water polo team at Fresno City College swims tirelessly in the shadows, their achievements obscured by the glare of more popular sports. Despite all their dedication and talent in the pool, they remain overlooked and unrecognized by the college and local media.

Disheartened, the team feels a sense of disappointment as their efforts go unnoticed, yearning for the recognition they rightfully deserve. Sometimes when women’s sports are mentioned, it’s dismissed by someone saying, “I don’t watch women play sports.”

At FCC, there are many sports teams on campus. Some receive attention more than others:the water polo team is among those that do not.

Water polo does not attract a large audience and lacks the discussion it deserves.

Hilary Boos, the head coach of the water polo team and swim and dive, has over 20 years of coaching experience and 17 years in education. This is her third year coaching at FCC.

For the members of the FCC water polo team, the discouragement of their unnoticed efforts is appreciable as they reflect on the glaring absence of coverage and recognition they receive.

“We don’t get any coverage,” Boos said. “I don’t see anybody at our games at the school, and I get it because we’re not on campus. Nobody knows who we are. Nobody knows who I am.”

FCC women’s water polo team practices at high schools because the pool at FCC isn’t adequate to play, causing them to practice late so they don’t conflict with any of the high school teams.

“You know, it’s hard when you’re not on campus, and people don’t see you,” Boos said.

Tori Valdez is a player on the FCC water polo team and plays utility, which is a versatile secondary member but can take the lead if need be.

Valdez faced certain obstacles while playing this sport, like how getting through practices can be challenging and building that team chemistry between one another.

“I think in the Central Valley it gets a good amount of publicity because of how good the Fresno State water polo team is but I think it could be talked about more to high school students who want to play,” Valdez said.

So if you are thinking about joining water polo or want to see them play in action, go watch and support the FCC water polo team