ANN ARBOR, Mich. — University of Michigan water polo head coach Dr. Marcelo Leonardi announced that four student-athletes have signed their National Letter of Intent to join the program and continue school in Ann Arbor in 2020-21. The signing class includes Libby Alsemgeest (Hamilton, New Zealand), Lola Ciruli (Lafayette, California), Sammi Monroe (Pleasant Hill, California) and Elise Walker (Los Altos, California).
“All four signees fit what we are looking for in student-athletes at the University of Michigan,” said Leonardi. “Each brings a unique aspect to the game, and I am excited to see how they blossom throughout their careers. They each possess strong values, demonstrate high performance habits, and are genuine people. They are exceptional athletes in the water and place a premium on academics. I strongly believe that all four of them will come in and contribute their freshman year, which is exciting for Michigan.”
Libby Alsemgeest
• Competes with Atlantis City (2018-19) after previously playing for Waitakere Water Polo (2017-18) and Waikato Water Polo (2016-17)
• Attends St. Cuthberts College in Auckland, New Zealand
• New Zealand Born 2002 squad member (2016-current)
• 2019 World Championship participant for the New Zealand senior national team
• Competed at the 2018 Junior World Championships and was on the 2017 Born 2000 Australia tour
• National NZ U16 Tournament MVP in 2018
• Head of Sports Committee at St. Cuthberts
• Also played netball in 2016
• Plans to major in communications at Michigan
Leonardi on Alsemgeest: “Libby is an international center from New Zealand. She is physical and has great composure. She does a great job of holding position and in creating advantages. She moves really well over the hips and swims well. She will excel as a center in our system of play. She wants to be great, and it shows in her dedication to her national team, her academics and her family.”
Lola Ciruli
• Competes with the Lamorinda Water Polo Club (2016-present) after previously playing for the Diablo Alliance in 2016
• Attends Campolindo High School in Moraga, California
• Pacific Central Zone ODP (2017 and 2018)
• 2018-19 North Coast Section runner-up
• All-league second team in 2018-19
• JV water polo league champions in 2016-17
• USA Water Polo All-Academic in 2019
• Earned the CIF Spirit of Sport Award in 2019
• Also a member of the varsity swim team
• Three-time recipient of the Volunteer Service Award
• Father David attended the University of Michigan
Leonardi on Ciruli: “Lola is an elite two-way player. She has the ability to create for her teammates on drives and can finish her shots. She is going to come in and do really good things for us with her ability to play both sides and utilize her perimeter defender skills to boost our team defense. She brings with her a very high polo IQ and has great fundamentals. She attended the Michigan water polo camp several years back and since then has made tremendous strides every single year in high school and club.”
Sammi Monroe
• Competes for the Lamorinda Water Polo Club
• Attends College Park High School in Pleasant Hill, California
• DAL-Valley division champions two straight years (2018-19)
• DAL-Valley division all-league MVP in 2018 and 2019
• Three-time DAL-Valley first team all-league
• Second-place finish in NCS Division 1 in 2018
• 284 career goals and 147 career assists
• Two-year team captain
• Also a member of the varsity swim team
Leonardi on Monroe: “Sammi is going to be a true utility for us with her athleticism, length and speed. She is just beginning to scratch the surface of her true potential. She will develop as a defender, but she also has the ability to be a second-option post-up player for us. Her high energy, high motor, strong work ethic and comittmment will be an asset to our team.”“
Elise Walker
• Competes with the Stanford Water Polo Club
• Attends Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, California
• National Team selection camp in 2019
• Member of the PACE team at the 2019 Olympic Development Program
• 2017-18 CIF state champions
• NICSCA fifth-team All-America in 2018-19
• First-team Central Coast Section and West Catholic Athletics League in 2018-19
• Two-year team captain
• Also a varsity swimmer in high school
• Plans to major in computer science at Michigan
Leonardi on Walker: “Elise is a game changer. She is a special talent that we will build around at Michigan. She can play both the defender position and center position at a high level. Her size, speed and strength will command double teams, and she is going to be able to match up against elite players in the middle. She is humble, unselfish and wants to be great.”
Release courtesy University of Michigan Athletics Communications
