A transfer from Loyola Marymount, fifth year economics major Emily Byrne quickly made her home at UC Davis, competing the past three years as an Aggie.
Byrne, hailing from Orinda, Calif., started playing water polo at the age of twelve with Diablo in the Lamorinda area. The senior utility had a breakout season last year, earning ACWPC All-America and Big West Conference Honorable Mention awards after drawing 81 exclusions — good for third all-time in the Aggie records — and recording 20 goals.
In an 11-10 upset over No. 9 UC Santa Barbara in 2019, Byrne recorded her third hat trick of the season to lead the Aggies to a season-high No. 9 national ranking, resulting in her first career Big West Player of the Week nod.
Byrne is currently third on the team with 20 goals scored, and leads all Aggies with 17 steals in her final season. Continuing to draw exclusions, Byrne has earned 58 kickouts so far this year, putting her tenth on the single-season record list — her second appearance in that category. While at UC Davis, Byrne has amassed 163 drawn exclusions, now sitting fifth all-time with seven games remaining until the Big West Tournament.
A utility, No. 5, Emily Byrne…
What's something you wish more people understood about water polo?
I wish more people understood the amount of conditioning it takes to play water polo. I don't think people understand that water polo is one of those sports where you essentially have no rest. Despite the quarters being only eight minutes long, there's rarely a moment when you're in the pool that you are not doing something.
Favorite workout during your time at UC Davis?
My favorite workout was a Halloween-themed workout where we did exercises with pumpkins.
Favorite food?
Probably Nutella on toast.
What's your most listened to song right now?
Pyro by Kings of Leon.
Who would play you in a movie of your life, and why?
Jennifer Lawrence because she is loud, outgoing, and only a little crazy!
Favorite color?
Blue!
Favorite memory from UC Davis?
Scoring the game-winning goal in sudden death overtime against Pacific my redshirt-sophomore year.
Cake or pie?
Cake!
Favorite class at UC Davis?
Probably my UWP 102C class! I had a great professor and she let us write about topics we were genuinely interested in.
Pet Peeve?
Having to explain something more than once.
If you had to pick a new name for yourself, what would you pick and why?
I would never change my name! I think it fits me perfectly, and I was named after one of my mom's favorite authors so it feels extra special to me!
Favorite book?
Pride and Prejudice.
Favorite Jamey Wright quote?
"It's all part of the process." Jamey said that to me on my first day back after I had been out of the water for eight months, and I nearly had a heart attack doing 10x100s.
