Michigan Women's Water Polo, they haven't lost a conference game since 2018.

They're preparing for the conference championship, and that conference is the CWPA.

They are the number one seed, and the man that has guided them along the way, Dr. Marcelo

Leonardo is going to join us here in just a few moments on Conquering Heroes.

Welcome to your one-stop podcast for all things Michigan Athletics.

Updates on every team on campus and interviews with players and coaches are all on the way.

This is Conquering Heroes.

Here's your host, John Chanson. I'm now joined by Dr. Marcello Leonardi, the head coach of the women's

water polo team here at the University of Michigan. And doctor, thanks for joining us. You guys have had an unbelievable run.

What's this season been like for you earning the number one seed in your conference tournament?

Well, first of all, thanks for having me on your show. It's been, I mean, it's been surreal.

Having so many players back, such a senior, laid-in, grad student, waiting team, a lot of maturity.

We've had an early gauntlet of a season for the couple of months, just level of play and competition level.

And I feel like we're hitting our stride now, finishing in conference play,

and trying to make a run for a championship.

When you look at this past season, you mentioned it's a senior-laden team. You've got some

grad students on there. Is that a result of the past couple of years of extra eligibility with COVID, or is it just a class that

has stayed together and stayed with you for their college career?

Well, I think a little bit of both.

I think that COVID presented a situation where our student athletes had an opportunity to come back.

And one, it just shows you recruiting, one, that Michigan is willing to reinvest in our kids,

in our program, instead of just pushing kids out through graduation.

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