Sophie Shorter-Robinson

From Auckland to Arizona State: Sophie Shorter-Robinson’s Water Polo Success

At a young age, Sophie Shorter-Robinson has already established herself as one of New Zealand’s most accomplished water polo athletes. Hailing from Auckland and attending Diocesan School for Girls, Sophie’s journey to competing at Arizona State University (ASU) in the NCAA Division I ranks is a testament to her talent, dedication, and work ethic.

Sophie’s Impressive Achievements Before College

Sophie built a remarkable foundation during her school years, achieving numerous accolades:

• College Sport Female Young Sportsperson of the Year for water polo.
• Nominee for Overall Female Young Sportsperson of the Year.
• Awarded the prestigious Del Hooper Cup Award.
• 2020 Year 12 Diocesan Sports Girl of the Year.
• Senior National Secondary Schools Champion and Tournament MVP (2021).

These achievements highlighted her leadership, skill, and dominance on the water polo scene in New Zealand.

Thriving at Arizona State University

Sophie continued to shine as a freshman at Arizona State University (ASU), a leading public research institution located in Tempe, Arizona, competing in the highly competitive Pacific-12 Conference (Pac-12).

Highlights From Sophie’s Freshman Season Include:

• 25 Goals Scored across all 22 games played.
• Career-high 4 goals in a single game against Stanford (Feb 4th).
• Achieved three hat tricks throughout the season.
• Season-high 2 steals against Michigan.

In addition to her impressive college performances, Sophie represented New Zealand at the 2023 Women’s Water Polo World Cup, where she scored a goal on the international stage.

Why Arizona State University?

ASU combines athletic excellence with academic innovation, providing student-athletes like Sophie with the ideal environment to thrive. As part of the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference, ASU offers:

• World-Class Facilities: State-of-the-art aquatics and training centres designed to help athletes compete at the highest level.
• Elite Competition: A platform for student-athletes to compete against some of the best collegiate programs in the country.
• Holistic Development: A strong emphasis on academic success and personal growth alongside athletic achievement.

Sophie’s performances confirm that ASU is the perfect place for her to grow as an athlete and make her mark in Division I water polo.

Platform Sports’ Role in Sophie’s Journey

Platform Sports played a key role in Sophie’s recruitment, helping her navigate the process and secure a spot at a program that matched her athletic goals and aspirations.

Looking Ahead

Sophie’s freshman year success is only the beginning. With her proven ability to compete and excel at the NCAA Division I level, we’re excited to see her continue to thrive in the Pac-12 Conference and represent New Zealand on the global stage.

We Don’t Just Find Colleges. We Find Your Perfect Fit.

The right team. The right programme. The right future.

Sophie’s story proves that with the right guidance, talent, and determination, you can achieve your dreams of competing in U.S. college sports. Whether you’re an aspiring water polo player or a student-athlete ready to take the next step, Platform Sports is here to guide you every step of the way.