Women's Water Polo Announces Class of 2027

5/8/2023

Head coach Felix Mercado has announced seven additions to the Brown women's water polo program for the Brown Class of 2027.

The Class of 2027 is made up of Aubrey Anderson, Malia Chavinson, Sarah Decker, Gaby Montalvo, Ellen Norell, Hanna Dora Tidrenczel and Cleo Washer.

“I am very excited for this class for the women's team," said Mercado. "We've added some great attackers, a great goalie and great utility players. I expect them to contribute immediately and hopefully help us compete for a championship.

Scroll to find an in-depth look at each new Bear below.

Aubrey Anderson

Attacker | 5'9" | Newport Beach, Calif. | Corona Del Mar High School

Sunset Conference, Wave League MVP and Los Angeles Times/Daily Pilot Dream Team in 2023
2023 All-County Women's Water Polo Third Team 2023
Southern California Women's Water Polo Championships 2023 All-Tournament Team
Division I Southern Section CIF Water Polo Champions 2021-22
USA Water Polo Academic All-American 2019-23

Why Brown: “I knew I wanted to continue my water polo career while also being at a highly academic university and Brown is the perfect place for that. Also, I could tell people were so kind at Brown with just how nice the coaches and players on the team were. Brown seems to be one of the happiest and most welcoming colleges. I also love how students are able to be creative with their paths and they are not restricted with their passions. The Open Curriculum allows for this to happen and I'm excited to get to experience it as well as everything else."

Malia Chavinson

Utility | 5'7" | Burlingame, Calif. | Menlo School

March 20, 2022; Livermore, California, USA; USAWP: ODP: Youth: Pac Red vs CST Red at Granada High School; Photo credit: Catharyn Hayne / Catharynhaynephotography.com

Member of Stanford, Mayfield and NorCal club teams
Second Team All-League and Third Team All-California Coastal in 2021
Member of ODP USA Water Polo Youth Pacific Red Team March 2022 that finished third at ODP Championships
Four-year starter with Menlo Girls Water Polo
Three-time USA Water Polo Outstanding Academic All-American

Why Brown: “As cliche as it is to say the Open Curriculum, it definitely was attractive for someone like me who has so many diverse interests and don't know where life will take them. What I think ultimately drew me to the school was what the Open Curriculum fosters and represents, which is Brown's inclusive, created, motivated, collaborative and kind environment."

Sarah Decker

Goalkeeper | 5'8" | Newport Beach, Calif. | Corona Del Mar High School

Member of SoCal Black Club Team as well as USA National Team and 6-8 International All Star Team
Orange County Dream Team Second Team, All-Tournament MVP, Varsity Team MVP and Captain and Sea Queen Award in 2023
First Team All-CIF as a junior
USA Water Polo Academic All-American and Scholar Athlete all four years of high school
Part of USAWP Olympic Development National Championships from 2018-22

Why Brown: "Brown University provided the best opportunities for my future academic and athletic careers. It advertises a successful balance between academic and athletic greatness. I wanted to enter a community that encourages and requires a love for learning and academic rigor while simultaneously providing the freedom to investigate the subjects which interest each specific individual. After my official visit, I realized Brown University is not only the school where I could see myself finding the most academic and athletic success but also happiness and satisfaction."

Gaby Montalvo

Center | 5'7" | Miami, Fla. | Gulliver Preparatory

Member of Miami Riptides, Long Beach Aquatics, USA Water Polo 05 Youth National Team and Puerto Rico National Sr. and Jr. Water Polo Women's Teams
Miami Dade County First Team as a freshman, sophomore and junior
Florida High School Top Scorer as a senior with 127 goals in 25 games. Also had 84 steals and 28 assists
Two-time Gulliver Prep Offensive Player of the Year and two-time Team MVP

Why Brown: “I chose Brown because of its welcoming and supportive environment. The Open Curriculum opens many doors and will push me to explore and create the perfect concentration for me. Additionally, Brown has an outstanding art department which allows me to take classes with RISD as well."

Ellen Norell

Utility | 6'0" | Greenwich, Conn. | Greenwich High School

Played for Chelsea Piers Aquatics Club and Greenwich Aquatics
Member undefeated Greenwich High School team as a freshman, sophomore and junior
Cardinal Tournament champions in 2022
Selected for NEZ ODP teams in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022
Four-time USA Water Polo Academic All-American

Why Brown: “I chose Brown because of the incredible balance that each student-athlete has created between all their priorities, which is made possible with the help of the school. The structure of the open curriculum and the intense athletic program makes it possible for me to achieve my academic and athletic goals throughout college. Knowing that I can get the best of both worlds at Brown is what makes it so attractive to me. I am also extremely excited about the environment, knowing every day I will be surrounded by a team and an entire community that values the same things I do so highly. I am looking forward to being able to share my goals with the people around me and know that we will all do whatever we can to make sure that as a team we are happy with out collective success.”

Hanna Dora Tidrenczel

Utility | 5'8" | Budapest, Hungary | Korösi Csoma Sándor Bilingual Baptist High School

Played in multiple divisions of water polo and was a National Team member
Competed in Synchronized Swimming for five years
Was a member of the KSI SE club team

Why Brown: “Brown is the perfect school for me: with it's Open Curriculum I have the opportunity to try myself out in multiple fields that interest me, while playing my favorite sport with a fantastic, hard working team."