Rachael Carver: Always The Team Over The Individual

Rachael Carver was never really satisfied being part of a swim team when she was growing up.

"I liked it, but I wanted something more," said the senior captain. "I wanted to be part of a game."

That makes sense for the Princeton Women's Water Polo all-time leader in assists (252). Swimming, while a team sport, is individual in nature. It's the swimmer and the water.

One person Rachael did not have to convince about the beauty of water polo … her father, Rob. Rob played water polo at USC and is the reason Carver wears the No. 5, his number.

"I've looked up to him," said Carver about her father, who registered 150 goals during his time with Trojans between 1984-88. "I've been wearing the number five since I've been playing because he wore five in college, and I wanted to take on his legacy and carry it forward."

Carver swore she would be a Trojan herself. Both of her parents went to USC, as did her grandparents along with her aunt and uncle.

"I'm a Trojan at heart," said the Laguna Beach native. "I knew at the beginning of my junior year; I would commit to USC so why even talk to other schools?"

It was a stressful time for Carver during the recruiting process. She was a on highly competitive Laguna Beach high school squad won back-to-back CIF D-1 titles. All 11 seniors on the team were vying for the same spots at California colleges.

Then the world stopped because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I had the realization that I wanted something different and new," said Carver. "I was a little burnt out with high school and club water polo. I wanted to be a student-athlete first more than an athlete-student. That philosophy truly embodied my decision to go to Princeton."

When head coach Derek Ellingson offered her a spot, it was easy.

"Princeton offers the best of both worlds," said Carver. "I'm getting an incredibly amazing education while also playing at a high level. That balance drew me to Princeton, and it was the best decision I ever made."

Around the Spring Break trip of her freshman season, Carver saw an uptick in minutes in the pool and her role on the team change.

"I've always been a team player, and I put my teammates before myself," said Carver. "I didn't really think of playing time as much as I was so grateful to be on the team. As I started to realize my role on the team, there was definitely some pressure with being a freshman, but my teammates were very supportive, and I think it helped me grow as a person, and especially into my role today."

Carver recorded 34 goals, 47 assists, 26 steals and 19 drawn ejections in 2022 as the Tigers finished third in the CWPA.

Things went a bit differently in 2023. The Tigers finished 30-4 overall becoming just the third team in program history to have least 30 victories (2014, 2015). Princeton won the CWPA title and reached the national semifinals for the first time ever, becoming the first non-West Coast team to get to the Final Four since 2016.

When did Carver know that team was special?

It was actually a pretty miserable day.

"We beat Long Beach State in the rain on a cold day," said Carver. "That was the first moment I was like, we have a pretty good team and are capable of beating these California teams."

Princeton defeated No. 7 Long Beach State, 11-8, on March 15th, 2023. Carver had two assists in the win.

The team's motto in 2023 was Let's Shock the World. Flash forward to the NCAA Tournament … when the Tigers took on No. 3 Cal.

Carver scored on the first possession of the game. She finished with a team-high three goals and three assists. Princeton won 11-8.

"I was blown away myself," said Carver. "Making the NCAA Tournament was the first time we shocked the world and then beating Cal, we really did shock the world. That was a special moment for our entire team."

Following the 2023 season where Carver broke the program single-season assist record (81), she took on more of a leadership role.

"Going into my junior year, we had an amazing freshman class come in, and our team culture was awesome," said Carver. "I think that was really the moment where we had formulated this strong bond, both in and out of the water, and that was a moment where I felt also as an upperclassman, that I had to take on more responsibility."

Carver's junior campaign was much like her sophomore year as she posted 32 goals, 72 assists and 24 drawn ejections as the Tigers won their second consecutive CWPA title. A year after being snubbed on the all-conference team, Carver was named first-team all-conference.

The captain eventually broke the program record for assists this season and earned second-team all-conference as Princeton went 20-6 and sits as the No. 1 seed in the upcoming CWPA Tournament.

Carver is part of the Class of 2025 that is one of only five in Princeton history to win two conference titles and is looking to become one of only two classes to win three. While Kayla Yelensky and Carver have collected numerous awards, Grace Houlahan and Kate Mallery are also vital parts of the team's success.

"I've known Grace since I was 10 years old," said Carver. "We grew up together, went to high school together, so playing at Princeton has been incredibly special for both of us. Grace is the backbone of our defense. She's the one calling the shots on defense and is taking ejections for us when we mess up. She's selfless and powerful."

"Kate is a ray of sunshine who is always willing to make people laugh," mentioned Carver. "She and Grace play similar positions on our team, so she is also part of the backbone of our defense. With her drive to practice every day, she is someone people look up to."

"Kayla is our goal scorer and the fire that is ignites our team," stated Carver. "She is someone who you can always count on. I know if I make a good pass, she is going to take a better shot."

While this season has had ups and downs, Carver believes the team is destined to finish the season on the right foot because it has raised the expectations of the program through the Class of 2025's hard work in its four years.

"I think this team has grown to be one of the most important and special teams that I've ever been a part of and winning the championship with this group is what I am looking forward to," said Carver.

Life after Princeton isn't quite settled yet for the senior. She would like to play professionally and is hoping to play in Europe or Australia, but in the meantime, she's looking for a few more assists this weekend as the Tigers go for a CWPA three-peat.

CWPA Note: The Tigers take on the winner of Brown/Bucknell on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Game Notes for the weekend can be found here.

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