South African water polo star Lucy Miszewski will strengthen Elevate Water Polo’s women’s team ahead of the Nordic League Finals in Tenerife, Spain, following a breakthrough season in the United States collegiate system.
The Elevate squad heads into the international tournament from 25 to 27 June 2026, boosted by Miszewski’s inclusion after a standout campaign with Long Beach State University.
Miszewski earned selection to the prestigious Cutino Award Watch List, recognising the top women’s collegiate water polo players in the United States, and finished her season with 67 goals and 36 assists, along with All Big West First Team honours.
Her rise in the US system has been shaped by both challenge and resilience. After initially struggling to settle, she transferred to Long Beach State University, where she quickly established herself as a key player.
Her season was also marked by personal tragedy following the sudden passing of her father in Cape Town earlier this year. Despite this, she returned to competition within weeks, crediting her coaches and teammates for their support during a difficult period.
Miszewski said her father’s influence continues to guide her approach to the sport, especially in maintaining a positive mindset under pressure.
Elevate Water Polo performance lead Duncan Woods said Miszewski’s journey highlights the potential of South African athletes when given access to international opportunities and high performance environments.
He added that her development from school level to the US college system demonstrates the importance of structured pathways for South African water polo players aiming to reach elite and professional levels.
Miszewski believes international exposure has been key to her growth, particularly through differences in playing style, tactics and game intelligence between South Africa and Europe.
She said tournaments like the Nordic League Finals play an important role in developing South African players and raising the overall standard of the sport.
Elevate Water Polo is a high performance programme focused on developing South Africa’s leading water polo talent through international tours, elite coaching and competitive exposure abroad.
The team enters the Nordic League Finals in strong form after their qualifying performances in Manchester earlier this year, with expectations of a competitive showing against top European opposition.
Looking ahead, Miszewski has also secured a professional contract with CN Marseille in France, marking the next step in her water polo career.
Despite her move into professional sport in Europe, she says she remains committed to supporting the growth of water polo in South Africa and hopes to contribute to future Olympic ambitions including Los Angeles 2028.
