WEDNESDAY, 24 JUNE 2026
SOUTH AFRICA STANDOUT MISZEWSKI SET TO BOOST ELEVATE WATER POLO SQUAD AT NORDIC LEAGUE FINALS
Tenerife, Spain: Elevate Water Polo’s women’s team has received a major boost ahead of this month’s Nordic League finals in Tenerife, Spain with the inclusion of South African star Lucy Miszewski, fresh off one of the biggest breakthroughs of her career in the United States college system.
Miszewski recently earned selection to the prestigious Cutino Award Watch List, recognising the top women’s collegiate water polo players in the United States, and will join the Elevate squad as they prepare to take on some of Europe’s strongest club opposition.
The Long Beach State University player will arrive in Spain after a remarkable season in California, where she established herself as one of the leading players in the Big West Conference. The South African utility player finished the season with 67 goals and 36 assists while earning All-Big West First Team honours.
But her journey has not been without sacrifice and personal heartbreak. “My water polo journey has had a lot of highs and lows that I’ve had to learn to navigate,” explained Miszewski.
After initially struggling to feel settled in the American system, Miszewski transferred to Long Beach State, where she flourished under a coaching group that immediately believed in her potential.
“I actually distinctly remember my head coach telling me in a beginning of the year meeting that she thought I could have a chance of being on the Cutino award watch list. I immediately laughed in my head and I genuinely didn’t believe her… But this conversation sparked a new sense of belief in myself.”
That breakthrough season was interrupted by tragedy when Miszewski lost her father back in Cape Town unexpectedly earlier this year. Despite the emotional toll, she returned to competition just weeks later, crediting her coaches and teammates for helping her through the most difficult period of her life.
“My Long Beach coaches and friends are truly a second family for me and I am eternally grateful for them and the opportunities they gave me.”
Her father’s influence remains central to the way she approaches both life and the sport.
“My dad has taught me so many things, but the most influential one for me was that the glass is always half full,” she said.
“No matter how tough training gets, how hard a game is, or how many setbacks come my way, he taught me to always look for the positive and keep moving forward.”
That attitude has fuelled the success which she is hoping to share with her Elevate teammates.
“Lucy’s is an exceptional case study of how South African water polo players can thrive given the right opportunities. We first met when she was still at school and narrowly missed out on selection for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic team. She has since blazed a trail through the US college system and is about to become a professional athlete now. Her story is an inspirational to all of us, and gives us the encouragement to keep enabling pathways in the game of water polo.” remarked Duncan Woods, Head of Performance at Elevate Water Polo.
Miszewski believes opportunities such as Elevate Water Polo’s European tours are critical for the future growth of South African water polo.
“Tours like this are essential in strengthening water polo in South Africa. It’s hard to describe just how important it is,” she said.
“As a player who knows water polo both in South Africa and overseas, I can really see the difference both in the style of play, tactics and game IQ.
“I would not be the player I am today if I was not exposed to international coaches and players because the amount I have learnt, and am still learning, is so influential.”
Elevate Water Polo is a high-performance organisation dedicated to developing South Africa’s premier water polo talent. Through international tours, specialised coaching, and elite competition pathways, Elevate offers athletes the tools to succeed at the highest levels of the sport.
The Elevate squad head into the Nordic League Finals from 25-27th June full of belief after strong performances during the qualifying stages in Manchester earlier this year, and Miszewski believes the group has potential for something special in Spain.
“I think this team is capable of putting together some really strong and competitive performances at the Nordic League finals,” she said. “The group of players we have is incredibly talented and I think we have a really good balance of experience, skill, and work ethic throughout the team.
“Our goal is to build on the hard work that has already been done and continue progressing from where they left off.”
The tour also comes at an exciting time in Miszewski’s career after signing her first professional contract.
“I have recently signed a contract to play for CN Marseille in the south of France starting in August,” she said.
“This is a super exciting opportunity for me to start my professional water polo career.”
While Europe and the professional ranks await, Miszewski says she remains passionate about helping grow the sport back home.
“For me, it’s about doing whatever I can to help the team succeed,” she said.
“I love the work the Elevate is doing for water polo in South Africa.
“There is a bright future for water polo in South Africa, and I hope this continues to the LA28 Olympics which is my next big personal goal.”
End.
FREE TO USE PICTURES WITH CAPTIONS:
Women’s teams- The Elevate Water Polo’s women’s team are in good spirits ahead of the Nordic League finals in Tenerife, Spain to be held from 25-27 June 2026.
Photo credits: Elevate Water Polo
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