PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Brown University women’s water polo head coach JJ Addison announced the Bears’ 2028 class of recruits.
Set to compete in the pool for the Bears next season and beyond are Skye Andros, Emmy Hensley, Sofia Holman, Samantha Kim, Somto Okafo and Ava Schoening.
“We are very excited to start a new chapter for our program this year starting with the addition of a very exciting freshmen class,” said Addison. “Covering every position in the pool, the incoming women could almost be their own line and we are excited to see how they lift our returning players to elevate the entire team on both ends of the pool in 2025.
“This is a very talented and versatile group of women that will have an immediate impact on our success,” said Director of Water Polo Felix Mercado. “I look forward to assisting coach Addison and this great group to continue to build on where we left off in the spring. While I know replacing the graduating seniors will be difficult, this is a great way to try.”
Skye Andros
5-8 | Utility | Annapolis, Md. | Archbishop Spalding High School
First female to be named MIAA Water Polo First Team as a senior and MIAA Water Polo Honorable Mention as a junior. Was the first female to be named varsity water polo captain and was the varsity water polo Defensive MVP as a senior. Was the founder, president and captain of the first high school girl’s water polo team in Maryland – the Spalding Girl’s Water Polo Club. Four Year USA Water Polo Outstanding All-Academic.
WHY BROWN: I wanted a school that would challenge me academically and allow me to continue playing water polo in college. Brown checked both those boxes, and when I visited, I fell in love with Providence and the Brown Campus. Everyone I met was so welcoming that I knew Brown was the right spot for me.
Emmy Hensley
5-6 | Center Defender/Attacker | Laguna Beach, Calif. | Laguna Beach High School
Won the Junior Olympics in 2022 and 2023 and was second in the Junior Olympics in 2021. Served as the Team Captain for Laguna Beach High School as a senior. Was named First Team All-Sunset League and was a First Team All-America in the 2022 16u Junior Olympics. Played for SET Water Polo, and Laguna Beach Club Water Polo Foundation. In the classroom, was a four-time Superintendent’s Honor Roll honoree.
WHY BROWN: The coaching staff, the girls on the water polo team, the open curriculum, and the collaborative environment.
Sofia Holman
5-8 | La Jolla, Calif. | The Bishop’s School
CIF Player of the Year and Coastal League Player of the Year in 2024. CIF First Team and Coastal League First Team in 2023. Member of the Spanish Honor Society, AP Scholar and two-time All-Academic. Named Junior Olympics First Team All-America in 2022.
Why Brown?: When I experienced the way people interact with each other at Brown on my visit, I fell in love. Brown offers an environment where I can learn while competing at a high level athletically and simultaneously extracting joy from small moments like music blasting in Andrews Dining Hall.
Samantha Kim
5-11 | Utility | Orange, Calif. | Orange Lutheran High School
Four-year letter winner at Orange Lutheran High School. 2021-22 and 2022-23 CIF-SS Open Division Third Team and 2023-24 All-CIF Team. Won the Coach’s Award in 2023 and Lancer Award in 2024. In the classroom, graduated Summa Cum Laude and is a member of the National Honor Society. Was the OCADA Student-Athlete of Character in 2024 and a High Honor Roll honoree from 2020-24.
Why Brown?: Brown is unique in its use of an open curriculum, I found the campus beautiful and a new experience as i’d be moving across the country, and I’ve wanted to play water polo at Brown since I was a freshman in high school.
Somto Okafo
6-0 | Goalie | Southlake, Texas | Carroll Senior High School
Three-time varsity goalie and Region 1 All-Region, Second Team Goalkeeper of the Year in 2022. Named UIL All-District Girl’s Goalkeeper of the Year in 2022. THSCA Girl’s Water Polo Super Elite Team honoree in 2022. Was the Carroll WWP Defensive MVP as a senior. Took part in the USAWP ODP National Team Selection Camp in 2023 and USAWP Olympic Development National Championships in 2023-24. USAWP Outstanding Honors All-Academic in 2022 and 2023. Three-year letterwinner in swimming and was NISCA All-District, All-Region, All-State and All-America in 2023-24.
Why Brown?: I chose Brown because of the combination of prestigious academics and high-level athletics.
Ava Schoening
5-11 | Utility | Seattle, Wash. | Corona Del Mar High School
2024 All-CIF-SS Division 1 selection and CIF-SS Division 1 Champion. 2023 USA Water Polo 2005 National Team and Southern Pacific Zone ODP Youth Red Nick Johnson Inspirational Award recipient. 2022 USA Water Polo Youth Futures National Team and CIF-SS Division 1 Champion. 2021 USA Water Polo Cadet National Team and WIAA Swimming Championship contender. In the Classroom, a three-time USA Water Polo All-Academic and two-time California Scholarship Federation Honor Society member.
Why Brown?: Brown offers so many opportunities for me to thrive. From the open curriculum to the amazing professors to the fabulous water polo coaches, Brown will be a place that will allow me to continue to grow. At Brown I will continue my water polo career, but also have the ability to dive deeper into my field of interest.
Release courtesy Brown University Athletics Communications
