Drew Holland is hoping to be selected for his first Olympics this summer in Tokyo, as he's one of three goalies vying for a spot on Team USA's roster.
Holland grew up in the San Francisco Bay area and came from a water polo family, as both of his older brothers played, so it was no surprise when he joined the sport: "I grew up swimming and was around the pool a lot, and both of my older brothers played and loved water polo." Holland also would wind up following in his brother Kent's footsteps by becoming a goalie.
Drew played for Lamorinda Water Polo Club in the East Bay of northern California where he experienced great success, including winning the Junior Olympics: "I loved playing for Lamorinda and made so many friends that I still have today. I got my love for the game from the Lamorinda coaches and friends I played. We won the 16U and 18U Junior Olympics in 2011 and 2012 which I look back on as some of the most fun I've ever had with water polo."
In addition to club water polo Holland also played for what's regarded as the top high school in northern California for the sport:- Miramonte High School. He loved the program from the minute he joined: "Both my older brothers had been through the program, so I had an idea of what to expect, and I already loved the coaches. There also were great goalies ahead of me to learn from, one being Jon Sibley who played at Cal for a couple of years and was on the National Team with me." While there he helped lead Miramonte to three CIF-NCS titles in 2009, 2011, and 2012. He also was named the Diablo Foothill Athletic League's Most Outstanding Goalie in his senior year. Yet, despite his personal accolades, Holland says his biggest moments were watching his team score the winning goal from the other end: "The big highlights were winning the CIF North Coast Section my junior and senior Years – both with buzzer-beater goals to win the game! Charlie Wiser who played with me at Stanford scored my junior year, and Tyler Kirchberg who went on to play at Brown scored my senior year."
Before he was even in high school Holland realized he wanted to continue to play in college and possibly professionally. Remembering that moment he says, "I think during my first summer Junior Olympics in 2006 my brother Kent was going off to Brown to start his college career, and I knew I wanted to continue playing seriously and follow in his footsteps."
Holland got to realize those goals when he was recruited by and wound up at Stanford to continue his water polo career: "My dad also went to Stanford, so I grew up a Stanford fan going to football and basketball games. Once I got older and more serious about water polo, I saw how great the Stanford water polo program is: An amazing combination of academics and athletics, and a beautiful campus. I also really liked Coach John Vargas. I ended up learning so much from him, and now I consider him a very close friend." Holland had a great career at Stanford as he was a four-time All-American and MPSF Champion. He also finished his career as the all-time Stanford saves leader with 950—and despite coming up short of winning an NCAA championship, he still had a great time there: "I had an awesome time playing at Stanford for Coach Vargas and wouldn't change anything about it. My teammates and I formed lifelong friendships and representing Stanford University athletics was very special."
From an early age Holland wanted to play for the National Team. "Watching my first senior National Team game at Soda Aquatic center in the East Bay, I was 11 and remember that being the first time I considered it possible to play water polo for Team USA." He would begin that journey by participating in the Olympic Development Program for the Pacific Zone while he was in high school. Holland believes the program helped him grow as a player: "I did ODP throughout high school, which helped a lot. It was a great chance to improve and train with the best players from the Pacific Zone and in the country."
On top of that Holland admired 2008 Silver Medalist and USA Water Polo Hall of Fame Men's National Team goalkeeper Merrill Moses: "I always looked up to him as the National Team goalie when I was playing club and in high school. I think the 2008 Silver Medal team inspired a lot of young water polo players, including me. It was really special being one of the goalies in training leading up to the 2016 Rio Olympics and getting to play with and learn from him."
Holland moved a step further with his aspirations as he was called up to the Senior National Team when he was a freshman at Stanford. His first opportunity came with a travel trip and training with Hungary and Serbia. He says his first chance to compete with the Senior Team was incredible: "I was so fired up to be called to play; there's no other way to put it. It was a dream of mine, but also it was the start of a new chapter of water polo for me and a chance to keep improving."
Following that first trip Holland would eventually be called up for his first major FINA event: the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, where he would make three saves in his debut in a 13-4 victory over South Africa. While the tournament didn't go so well for Team USA, as it wound up exiting early, Holland still had a great time: "Seeing a whole city turn completely to swimming and water polo was incredible. The games were crazy with 8,000 people in the stands. Every cafe and restaurant in the city had TVs playing the water polo games."
Holland is one of the 19 Men's National Team players who travelled abroad to play professionally this year due to the squad's training center being shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Holland joined Chios in Greece, and actually this isn't Holland's first year with the team as he joined them a year ago. On why he chose to play abroad he says, "After graduating from Stanford, playing abroad was the best way for me to keep improving as a goalie. Getting to experience European shooters and playing a new style of water polo helps so much. Also living in a different country with a different culture is such a great life experience."
Since most of the Men's National Team is playing club water polo in Europe, they've met up several times for training against Greece and most recently games against Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro. Holland played in the first two games against Serbia and Montenegro, picking up six saves in the squad's 13-7 victory over Serbia and five saves—including a penalty save—in the team's 15-14 win over Montenegro. On how the trip has gone Holland says, "The team is continuing to improve, and we've had big wins against Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia so far. It's also great to train with these other teams, simulate what games will be like, and see what we need to improve. We've also done a great job keeping the team safe in this difficult COVID time."
Holland is always looking to improve his game, and as for what he's focusing on the most right now, he says that "with it being the Olympic year, I am trying to improve as much as possible in different areas of my game. One part in particular is saving penalties. With the recent rule changes, 5-meter penalties have become more common, and saving one or two in a game can change the momentum and outcome."
With the Olympics being moved from 2020 to this summer, Holland has set new goals: "I, along with the whole team, have big expectations for this summer. If we continue to improve and play well this year, as we have been, we can come home with a medal."
Lastly Holland offers advice to those hoping to make the National Team in the future: "It might seem simple but spend as much time in the water as you can! Whether it's at practice, or just passing the ball around with friends on the weekend, getting a good feel for the water and enjoying time in the water is the biggest thing."
