The Laney women’s water polo team went 1–16 a year ago — including a 0–9 record in Coast Conference play — but you wouldn’t be able tell if you talked to Eagles head coach Beth Flynn.
Despite bringing back just one starter from last season, Flynn, a former Laney water polo player herself, feels pretty optimistic about what is a relatively new sport on campus.
 The team only fielded eight players last year and often found it difficult to practice efficiently. Matters got worse when the team went into the Coast Conference championships with just seven players, the minimum allowed by the rules.
 The team wound up having its best outings of the season, with Christine Reyna scoring a goal. 
“That was the crowning achievement of the season.” Flynn said about the season-ending tournament.
While most coaches teach their teams the value of wins and losses, Flynn takes a different approach. 
“We’re working on building skills, not just winning game,” she said. 
“There’s a lot that came from the sport, regardless of who wins or loses a game.”