The one-two punch helped lead Valley to a solid season

Brina Brati and Armine Zelveyan, freshmen on the women's water polo team, anchor the Valley defense and offense.

By: Gabriela Martinez, Staff Writer

Armine Zelveyan (left) posing alongside fellow teammate and best friend Brina Brati. (Alejandro Garcia for the Valley Star)

Best friends and star players Brina Brati and Armine Zelveyan made a splash in their first season, leading the Monarchs to a 17-7 record this year and with the hopes for a better 2026.

Together the two scored 126 goals, dished out 51 assists and collected 56 steals. As far as the two friends, the two scored the same amount of goals at 63, with Brati collecting more assists at 34 and Zelveyan with 17. However, Zelveyan recorded more steals with 29 to Brati’s 27. Further, Zelveyan finished the season with a higher shooting percentage at 57 to Brati’s 47.   

“I've been working really hard to try to strive for accuracy when I shoot,” Brati said. “It feels nice that my stats show  the hard work I've been putting in, and it's paying off.” 

The 18 year old  began swimming when she was 5 after her parents' encouragement. However, It was not until her freshman year of high school that Brati dived into the world of water polo, trying out for her school's team. She was strongly inspired by her older sister, who was the senior captain of the Glendale High School’s water polo team. 

Similar to many student athletes, Brati describes significant barriers faced throughout her career. She continues to rehab a shoulder injury, affecting her rotator cuff and labrum, which she sustained while playing the shoulder-heavy sport. 

The kinesiology major is working hard toward a career in physical therapy while still managing weekly team training.

“I feel like water polo has really taught me that I need to not only be strong physically, but mentally,” she said. “I really just want to be remembered as a kind player that maybe future generations or younger players on my team can look up to.”

At the other half of the dynamic duo, 18-year-old Zelveyan, started playing water polo just around four years ago.

 “I think my biggest personal accomplishment is probably just coming and playing in college because I've only played water polo for three years in high school,” Zelveyan said. 

Zelveyan began playing water polo after trying out for the team with her friend during her sophomore year of high school. 

“We actually ended up really liking it,” she said “So I just joined the team.”

One year later, Zelveyan underwent nose surgery which resulted in doctors warning her that she would be unable to continue playing water polo.. However, in her season, she fought to stay afloat, refusing to throw her sport overboard. 

 “I would wear a nose guard and just push through,” she said. 

The psychology major maintains a busy schedule, training with her team throughout the week, working as a lifeguard at the Glendale Pacific Pool, and taking classes at Valley. . 

“We're kind of making history here because the women's water polo team hasn't had a winning streak like this in a while,” she said. “ I just hope we'll be placed, and leave an impact for future players.”

Valley’s team raced out to a 7-0 record at the start of the season, and finished with a 17-7 mark. The girls’ team lost their playoff game to Fullerton College 14-8. Despite the disappointing loss, the girls are looking forward to next season.