Sports

West Valley coach builds water polo community from the ground up

Phoenix Water Polo Club founder Mariah Hagemann expands access to the sport in Avondale, Goodyear and beyond.

Submitted photo/City of Avondale

Mariah Hagemann talks about water polo the way some people talk about a lifelong friend.

She grew up with the sport in Southern California, where pools were plentiful and teams seemed to exist every few miles. After moving to Arizona a decade ago, she was surprised to find few opportunities, especially in the West Valley.

Hagemann said she met her best friends in the water and wanted to create the same connections for athletes in Arizona.

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