With the winter sports seasons drawing to an end, the senior athletes of San Luis Obispo High School are having a chance to look back on their high school sport experience, through ‘senior night.’ On Tuesday, January 26, the SLOHS girls varsity water polo team prepared to play their last home game this season, but for the seniors, it would be their last home water polo game as Tigers altogether. Twins Mikayla and Autumn Faccinto were in the starting lineup, ready to get the win in front of their friends and family. Expressions caught a small glimpse of their background story as players and their emotions going into their final game.

Expressions: What are your feelings going into your last home water polo game as a tiger?

Senior Autumn Faccinto: I’m very excited to finish the season with my team, but I’m very sad.

Senior Mikayla Faccinto: A lot of emotions. We’ve worked so hard to get to this point and it’s our last home game and all our hard work paid off.

Expressions: How long have you been playing water polo?

A. Faccinto: All four years of high school.

Expressions: Did you start playing at the same time?

M. Faccinto: Yes, and we both loved it from the very beginning.

Expressions:  Does playing with each other as twins make it harder or easier?

A. Faccinto: So much easier, for us anyways, not to the people who are trying to tell us apart.

M. Faccinto: We have such an unspoken relationship and when I look at her I can tell if she is ready for the pass and what she needs for us to be successful.

Expressions: What is your best water polo memory?

A. Faccinto: The Fullerton tournament this past summer, it was quite hectic! There was a hurricane of sorts, really insane!

M. Faccinto: I would have to say this game. This night is going to stick with me for awhile.

Expressions: Is water polo the only sport you’ve played in high school?

A. Faccinto: We played volleyball, but water polo is so much better.

Expressions: What makes water polo the sport you continue to play?

A. Faccinto: The team atmosphere, we are all one big family who love to be around one another.

M. Faccinto: The game is also just so brutal, like you are always fighting for something and it’s just so fun.

Expressions: What was the best year of your high school water polo experience?

A. Faccinto: That’s a tough one, but this year I would say. The girls this year have made it the best.

Expressions: What college are you guys going to?

A. Faccinto: We are both going to Pacific Union College.

Expressions: Do you plan to play in college?

M. Faccinto: For a club team, since the college we are both going to doesn’t have an actual team.