As many Hill students look forward to promising winter athletics seasons, two varsity girls’ Water Polo members, Isa Bartolini ’26 and Lola Palmer ’25, leave behind successful milestone-achieving seasons.  

On Oct. 30, 2024, at Hill’s game versus Lower Merion High School, Bartolini broke the 21-year-old record for the most single season steals with 116 steals. To date, Bartolini has 133 steals, which is 29 more steals than Anna Gossett ’04’s 104, when she set the record in 2003. 

“Anna, a teammate of mine, was a part of the first girls’ water polo team at Hill so this accomplishment of Isa’s is truly significant as it has been standing for almost the entirety of the program’s history,” explained Head Girls’ Water Polo Coach, Dawn Evans ’03.  

 Before the 2023-2024 season, Bartolini was not even on the Top 10 list.  

“In the beginning of the season, I had no idea that I would even come close to breaking a record,” explained Bartolini. “I had no goals of such and didn’t even know how close I was until I reached the Top Ten List. As soon as I was told that with about six games left in the season, it then became my goal to be number one.” 

Though Bartolini only started playing Water Polo in her 4th form fall after realizing how deconditioned she was during her w 3rd form swim season after playing soccer, she has already made tremendous strides.  

“Isa is the kind of player that works hard every day, even when she is not feeling her best,” said Sara Vukas, Assistant Girls’ Water Polo Coach. “She has worked so hard, day in and day out [this season] to achieve this goal of becoming a better water polo player as well as breaking the record.”   

“Her desire to improve is always apparent and her leadership amongst the team shines by helping others improve along with her,” added Evans.  

To complement her record, Bartolini was also awarded the Commitment Cup which is “bestowed annually by the coaches of the team on the returning varsity letter winner that, through hard work, attitude, and dedication, has made the most significant improvement from the previous season.”  

Ending the season with 190 says, Lola Palmer ’25 broke into two Top 10 lists: most single season saves and most career saves.  

“She is currently number 4 on the most saves in a single season, and is number 9 for career saves,” remarked Evans. 

Palmer began playing water polo her first fall at Hill, her 4th form year, following a recommendation from Varsity Head Swimming and Diving Coach Jay Spencer ’84, to stay in good shape for the winter swim season. Since then, however, Palmer has transitioned her focus to track and field, where she throws shot put, but recognizes the mutual benefits of competing in both water polo and track and field.  

“Play[ing] polo keeps my legs and arms strong for track season; it is important to be fast and explosive while throwing,” added Palmer.  

Even though Palmer has been playing water polo for 3 years, this is only her first season as a goalie. Being able to reach such a milestone so soon “made [Palmer] realize that progress doesn’t come from years of experience, you just need to be dedicated and want to improve yourself,”. 

In recognition of this dedication, Palmer was chosen as the team’s MVP award recipient which is “awarded annually to that girl that, in the eyes of her teammates, has made the greatest contribution to the overall success of the team.” 

As Palmer is a sixth former, this was her last season with the Hill Girls’ Water Polo team and hopes to join an intramural team in college. Bartolini, however, has one more season left with the team and is on track to make a continuing impact on the team.  

“Isa has a very bright future in water polo. I imagine next year being just as good or greater. She is not on the list for career steals yet, but with a stellar season like this, she will be there,” concluded Vukas.