Same birthday, same passion, different teams. Cal and Tessa Ulticny, freshmen and twins, are making waves in the boys’ and girls’ varsity water polo teams, respectively, an intense sport known for its steep learning curve and demanding physicality, according to girls’ water polo coach Veronica Heldke.
Cal Ulicny, an attacker, began playing water polo in 5th grade after a teacher suggested he try the sport, quickly embracing the fast-paced action of the game.
“He said that I thought outside of the box, and he thought I’d be a great player, so I decided to try it out. I’ve been playing it ever since,” Cal Ulicny said. “I started on a club team, and then I just worked with the players who knew how to play the sport from there.”
Tessa Ulicny, initially a swimmer, followed her brother’s lead and joined a club water polo team at the beginning of 7th grade. She credits him with playing a significant role in her development in the sport, mentoring her in different techniques for shooting and ball handling.
“Being a twin has its perks and its downfalls,” Tessa Ulicny said. “It’s really great for water polo because we can both push each other to be better. We can both be our own defenders — both be our offenders. He’s a big reason why I’m on varsity.”
Upon entering high school, both players had to adapt from playing club water polo to high school water polo, which can be a steep transition in terms of skill level and strategy, according to Cal Ulicny.
“It’s pretty challenging as a freshman to play against seniors who are a lot bigger and stronger than you,” Cal Ulicny said. “You have to play more skillfully than with brawn, so it’s kind of challenging.”
Despite these difficulties, Tessa Ulicny says that they regularly give each other advice and feedback, which has helped them hone their abilities and game sense. Both twins want to improve in physical technique and the mental aspects of self-discipline while also adjusting to the needs of their respective teams, according to Cal Ulicny.
“Being a freshman on varsity is a really cool experience that not a lot of people can do,” Tessa Ulicny said. “I think it’s going to really help me in the future to be a leader, it’s going to help me be athletic and also help me for college. I just think it’s such an amazing experience.”
Their support for one another creates a noticeable dynamic on the pool deck that translates into a genuine interest in each other’s successes.
“A big thing with them is they are really supportive of each other,” Heldke said. “Tessa is at every boys’ water polo game. She always knows her brother’s stats right off the bat, which I think is really sweet, and I’m sure that once we get into winter, Cal is gonna be the same for Tessa.”
