Michigan Sees Increase in Strength, Maturity from Pyle
11/16/2018 3:32:00 PM | Water Polo, Features
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Skyler Pyle, a junior on the University of Michigan water polo team, showed her improved strength and maturity with a breakout performance at the Collegiate Cup last weekend (Nov. 10-11).
Pyle scored eight goals in five games to rank third on the team over the weekend. The total was one more than the seven goals she scored in 22 games as a sophomore and close to the 12 goals in 31 games her freshman year.
The increased productivity is something the team saw coming, based on the way she has practiced this fall. The way she has performed in practice is a product of her hard work and also head coach Dr. Marcelo Leonardi's system.
"She has believed in the system and her roles," said Leonardi. "She grinded on a daily basis, stuck with it and believed. Over the last year, she has developed more confidence and it has clicked. The game has slowed down for her. She is now playing free and capitalizing on the time she is in the game."
Pyle not only scored but scored in big moments. She tallied the game-winning goal with 18 seconds remaining in the game against Hawai'i and converted her attempt in a shootout win over Pacific. She had two goals in regulation against the Tigers, and also scored twice in games against the New York Athletic Club and Cal.
"It felt really good," said Pyle. "I think it's something that I've been trying to do my entire collegiate career, and this is the first time that I really made that jump and really believed in myself. I knew my teammates believed in me and were super supportive of me all weekend. I think that honestly made the difference."
Two things happened to Pyle over the summer that helped her take a step forward in water polo. She studied abroad in Greece and hired a personal trainer.
The trip to Greece was a chance for her to recharge her batteries and step away from water polo for a short time. It was also an experience that helped her grow up and mature in life.
"I think it was really important for me to kind of grow up and go off on my own and experience new things away from the team," said Pyle. "That gave me a different mind-set coming into this year. It was the first time I've been away from my team and had to make new friends. I was really excited to just come back to my team."
She took a writing class in Greece and enjoyed the once-in-a -lifetime experience, but once she got back, she was ready to get to work with her personal trainer. They focused on high-repetition workouts that helped her gain strength.
"It was just a different type of training," said Pyle. "We did 20 reps of everything, which was different from anything I had ever done before. I definitely feel stronger, especially my legs."
With the maturity she gained from being on her own, the increased strength from summer workouts and two years of experience in Leonardi's system, Pyle's confidence has been at an all-time high.
"I'm definitely mentally stronger. I know exactly what everyone is doing and I know the plays," said Pyle. "I have confidence in the system, belief in the system and total trust in my teammates."
Leonardi has been impressed with the level of play he has seen from the junior.
"Her decision making is better," said Leonardi. "She has been more consistent. The shots she is scoring on in practice, we saw her make those over the weekend.
"The work is translating. I thought she did a great job in the offseason. Her increased strength has impacted her defense and her ability to score under pressure. Also, going to Greece gave her perspective as well. She grew up in Greece and came back a different Skyler."
Pyle mentioned that she wants to continue to improve her defense and focus on locking down opponents to help her teammates out. Her improvement adds more depth to a talented roster that is ready for the 2019 season to start, Jan. 19-20 in Santa Barbara, California.
