The562’s coverage of aquatic sports in Long Beach in 2025-26 is sponsored by Watersafe Swim School.
Photo courtesy World Aquatics
The USA Cadet Women’s water polo team is made up of the best youth players in the country, and the American women went on an impressive run in Croatia at the World Aquatics U16 World Cup. The USA roster includes a pair of Wilson Bruins in junior Abby Billish and incoming freshman Claire Billish.
The Americans’ undefeated run came to an end in the quarterfinals in a 13-9 defeat to Hungary, but the USA bounced back with a pair of wins to take fifth in the World Cup.
The quarterfinal loss came despite a goal by Claire Billish, as Hungary controlled the game from the start with a 3-0 lead after one and a 6-3 lead at halftime.
The loss put the Americans into a 5th-8th place semifinal bracket, where they were able to bounce back with an impressive 15-5 win over New Zealand. That put them into a fifth place game against Russia, where the USA women prevailed with an 11-7 victory, which included a goal by Abby Billish.
The fifth-place finish at the World Cup is the best ever for Team USA at the U16 World Championship level, as they finished 6-1 overall in Zagreb.
