Updates

Good Afternoon -

What a great weekend of polo.  The JV went 2-1 at the Groves JV tournament and the varsity was also 3-1 at the Seaholm tournament.  Peter says of the JV, "I'm super proud of both how they won over St. Charles and stayed resilient while exhausted against Zeeland."  I'm equally proud of how well the Varsity played against the #1 Zeeland team (what a great and resounding win!!!) and how they didn't give up against East Grand Rapids and only lost by 1.  I'm also proud that they kept their cool when other players/coaches seemed to come unglued.  

Thanks to Chelsea Valdes-Pierce and Sonya Dal Cin for organizing the flower sale!  What a great fundraiser and community event.  Personally, I enjoyed delivering flowers today and catching up with friends and neighbors.

I've updated the week on our Google Calendar.  Remember, the most accurate calendar can be found at PioPolo.com.

I want to highlight that we have games against Mason TOMORROW.  It was a late add to our schedule since Michigan Water Polo moved Mason to our District.  We play @ Pioneer with Varsity at 6:15 and JV @ 7:15.  Go Pioneers!

We also play Skyline/Saline on Thursday, also @ Pioneer.  

To round out the week, the Varsity will travel to Rockford this weekend for our last regular-season tournament.  The boys will be traveling in team vans and I need two drivers.  If you are available, please let me know.  Our first game is against Rockford at 6pm.  In order to be ready for that game, we will leave Pioneer at 1:30.  I will excuse the players from school after 5th hour and we will leave from (and return to) the Pioneer Rec and Ed lot.  We should be home by 5:30 or 6pm on Saturday.

Please note that there is major construction on the East Beltline in Rockford.  Please allow for adequate travel time!  

State Tournament Hotel and Zeeland JV Tournament Hotels.  Our usual hotel, Country Inn and Suites, is about 30 minutes from Zeeland, so I'm looking for another hotel.  For the state tournament, I have the Holiday Inn Express in Holland reserved.  We are getting a great rate of $99/night.  I will get the rooms for the players, but if you want me to reserve a room for you, please let me know TODAY!!!  I will email the hotel in the am.  I don't yet know if they have availability for the Zeeland tournament, but let me know if you would like me to get you a room if they do.

That's it from me.  Have a great week!  

- Don

From the Captains' Parents:  

FUNDRAISERS & EVENTS

Together, our team sold nearly $12,000 in flowers, from which we get to keep half! Thank you to the entire polo community, especially Chelsea Valdes-Pierce and Sonya Dal Cin, for leading this effort. Our fundraising and events calendar includes the following:

• Wednesday, (10/7) Chipotle fundraiser. Players will head to the Chipotle on Stadium after practice for a team dinner. Players who drive will carpool others to the restaurant. All families are encouraged to enjoy Chipotle for dinner that night! For online orders, use the code: KGNFWTZ. Heads-up: The Chipotle fundraiser requires patience because employees are generally overwhelmed by the high volume of orders. 

• Wednesday, (10/7) Snap! fundraiser concludes. Thank you for participating!

• Middle School Night & Senior Night (10/15): Please see the flyer for Middle School Night here. Post it everywhere you can! Thank you to Caitie Martin and Amy Taylor, who are heading up Middle School Night, and Staci Almeida who is coordinating Senior Night. 

TEAM LOGISTICS & SUPPORT

Thank you again for your support.  

• Varsity Parents - Please find the October 2-3, 2026 Rockford Invitational Schedule here. PHS Homecoming is also Saturday, October 3.

• JV Parents - You are tournament-free this weekend! If you'd like to volunteer for meals during the Zeeland tournament (October 9-10), please visit our Fall, 2026 Sign Up Genius. 

• Volunteer slots for the Fall 2026 season are available. Sign up here.

Good Rainy Sunday Morning -

First off, thanks to Diane Rodriguez-Kiino for leading our yoga fundraiser this morning and for all of those who participated. Not only was it a great fundraiser, it’s a great chance to get together and build community. Thank you all. 

This past weekend, the JV team traveled to Rockford and went 2-2 on the weekend. Good work!  The varsity team was at Skyline for their tournament and went for 4-0.  Overall, a great weekend!  

Thank you, parents, for all your support this weekend. We really appreciate you and what you do for the team.

Thanks for those who turned in their plant sale sheets on Thursday.  Our sales were strong this year!  Pickup next Sunday!

I’ve updated the Google Calendar that can be found at pioneerpolo.com. This week we have practices all week and the varsity has a tournament at Birmingham Seaholm, Friday and Saturday, and the JV has a tournament at Birmingham Groves on Saturday. We will not be providing transportation for the boys, so please carpool.  Athletes are not allowed to drive themselves since we will be out of Washtenaw County. 

From the Captains' Parents:  

FUNDRAISERS & EVENTS

Thank you again for your continued support. The Milkshake Factory, Stars Cafe, and Yoga Fundraisers have been hugely successful and will contribute to expenses like team tournaments, hotel stays, meals, transportation, and keeping our athletes in the pool!

• Sunday (9/27) Flower distribution will be in the PHS parking lot across from the football field. Players and their families can help sort and organize between 8 and 10 a.m. We promise, it's FUN! Sign up here.

• Until Wednesday, (10/7) Snap! fundraiser continues. Please load your player's portal with emails. We're already getting donations!

• Middle School Night & Senior Night (10/15): We began combining these two events into one evening to draw a larger crowd. Please see the flyer for Middle School Night here. Post it everywhere you can! Thank you to Caitie Martin and Amy Taylor, who are heading up Middle School Night, and Staci Almeida who is coordinating Senior Night. 

TEAM LOGISTICS & SUPPORT

Massive thank you to our JV and Varsity parents! We appreciate all the time, energy, and enthusiasm you bring to the team. 

• Varsity Parents - Don shared the Birmingham Invitational schedule (9/25-26). We will NOT take team vans for this tournament at Seaholm High School. Reminder: Parents must carpool because players cannot drive themselves.

• JV Parents - Likewise, the JV Birmingham Invitational is that same weekend (9/26) at Birmingham Groves High School and parents must carpool.  Tournament schedule HERE.  Please arrive 1 hour before game time.

• For your planning purposes: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided only for away tournaments that include hotel stays.

• Fall, 2026 season volunteer slots are available. Sign up here.

Good Afternoon -

I hope you are well and that you have time to get outside today!  

This week, we will be busy again!  For the most updated schedule, visit PioPolo.com.  Here are some highlights:

Thursday we are @ Huron for Varsity and JV matchups.  The JV then heads to Rockford Friday/Saturday and the Varsity has a tournament at Skyline Friday/Saturday.  I've attached the Rockford JV tournament to this email and the Varsity Skyline schedule is HERE.  I'm excited for the weekend and for each team to get lots of experience.  

JV WILL travel in team vans.  Coach Peter will drive one van, and we are looking for a second parent driver.  If you are interested, let me know and I'll send you the background check paperwork. JV will leave from the Quality 16 parking lot (3686 Jackson Rd) at 5pm on Friday.  JV will also be dropped off at Quality 16 on Saturday due to the UofM football game.  Varsity can drive themselves this weekend.   

Quick Reminder:  Parent Social is today from 4-6 pm @ the Flautner's.  See PioPolo.com for details.  Coach Marton is making the food!!!  Bring your favorite beverage.

That's it from me!  Thank you all!  - Don

From the Captains' Parents:

FUNDRAISERS

Supporting the PHS Men’s Water Polo team makes a huge difference. Expenses like team tournaments, hotel stays, meals, transportation, and gear add up quickly—please consider supporting our fundraising efforts to help keep our athletes in the pool!

• Monday (9/14) -- Stars Cafe & Team Dinner. Please order for your family and your player before 6:30 p.m. MENU HERE. If you are ordering for both your family and your player, please ask for your player's meal to go into a separate bag. Diane will pick up all player orders before 7 p.m. The boys can eat in the Kiinos' backyard (270 Crest Ave.) after practice, which will end a little earlier than usual so they can eat dinner together.

• Thursday (9/17) --  Flower order forms are DUE. Players can give their forms to Vincent at practice or email them to chelseavp@gmail.com. 

• Sunday (9/20) -- Yoga Fundraiser at Pioneer at 10 a.m. Sign up here. Coffee and pastries to follow!

• Sunday (9/27) Flower distribution will be in the PHS parking lot across from the football field. Players and their families can help sort and organize between 8 and 10 a.m. We promise, it's FUN! Sign up here.

• Until Wednesday, (10/7) Snap! fundraiser continues. Please load your player's portal with emails. We're already getting donations!

TEAM LOGISTICS & SUPPORT

Massive thank you to our JV and Varsity parents! With such an active group of players and families, our community is rock solid. We appreciate all the time, energy, and enthusiasm you bring to the team. 

• JV Parents - The Rockford tournament (9/18-19) is this weekend. Reminder: The boys will stay at the Country Inn & Suites and their rooms have been reserved by coach Don. Caitie Martin has agreed to help organize players' snacks and meals. We do need volunteers to pick up dinner on Friday and then lunch on Saturday. Sign up here for these slots.

• Varsity Parents - Don shared the Birmingham Invitational schedule (9/18-19) for next weekend.  We will NOT take team vans for this tournament. Reminder: Parents must carpool because players cannot drive themselves.

• For your planning purposes: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided only for away tournaments that include hotel stays.

• Morning bagel breakfasts: Sign up here to volunteer. It's an early morning but simple volunteer spot. (1) Pick up customized pre-ordered Barry Bagels for the team; (2) Bring bagels to the pool deck; (3) Set up the polo table in the hospitality suite with bagels, snacks, drinks, etc.; (4) Clean up. The shift typically runs from about 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.

• Fall, 2026 season volunteer slots are available. Sign up here.

Good Evening -

Thanks to all the parents/families who supported the team as we traveled to Columbus this weekend for the Golden Bear Invitational at Upper Arlington High School.  We were 2-2 on the weekend (beat St. Charles and St. Xavier, but lost to Upper Arlington and Thomas Worthington).  

This week, we'll be plenty busy with games Tuesday (Groves @ Home) and Thursday (Dexter @ Dexter Community Pool).  We also have the Saline Tournament on Friday (games @ 5pm and 6:40).  We will take all players to the Saline Tournament.  Make sure you check our calendar at PioPolo.com for the most up to date information.

We DO have practice Monday - Normal time.  

Looking ahead from the Captains' Parents:  

• Monday (9/7) -- Ron Kiino (Julian's dad) will help the boys set up the SnapRaise fundraiser at practice. SnapRaise officially begins September 9 and lasts until October 7.

• Wednesday (9/9) -- Players will have yoga at 4:45 p.m. in the Dance Room.

• Sunday (9/13) -- Parent Meet & Greet at 4 p.m. RSVP here.

• Monday (9/14) -- Stars Cafe Fundraiser. Please order before 6:30 p.m. https://www.starscafeannarbor.com/

• Thursday (9/17) --  Flower order forms are DUE. Our largest team fundraiser has begun. Players can give their forms to Vincent at practice or email them to chelseavp@gmail.com. 

• Sunday (9/20) -- Yoga Fundraiser at Pioneer at 10 a.m. Coffee and pastries to follow!

• Sunday (9/27) Flower distribution will be in the PHS parking lot across from the football field. Players and their families can help sort and organize between 8 and 10 a.m. We promise, it's FUN! Sign up here.

• Morning breakfasts have begun! Sign up here to volunteer. It's an early morning but simple volunteer spot. (1) Pick up pre-ordered Barry Bagels for the team; (2) Bring bagels to the pool deck; (3) Set up the polo table in the hospitality suite with bagels, snacks, drinks, etc.; (4) Clean up. The shift typically runs from about 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.

• Fall, 2026 season volunteer slots are available. Sign up here.

Good Afternoon -

I hope you are well on this rainy Sunday.  I guess it's a sign that summer is over and it's time to start school!  

Thank you to all who made our Grand Haven weekend a success.  The boys had such a great time and the weather certainly cooperated this year.  It was great that we could take the entire team to Grand Haven and get almost everyone into at least one game!  

Thanks to all who played a part in such a memorable weekend for the boys!  The amount of planning is significant.  I'm so thankful you are all on our team!  

This week, we have games (V & JV) on Thursday vs. Toledo St. Francis @ Pioneer.  Then the Varsity travels to Upper Arlington High School (Columbus area) for a tournament Friday and Saturday.  Upper Arlington Golden Bear Invitational schedule.  We WILL have team vans for the UA trip. I WILL NOT be driving a van this weekend - I'll be heading to Pittsburgh after the games to drop off more stuff for my kids!  That said, I need drivers for this weekend!  Please let me know if you are available.  Here is our schedule:  

Leave from my house:  810 Hutchins Ave @ 2pm (we cannot leave any cars at Pioneer due to the UofM football game).  Check-in @ Holiday Inn Express Columbus - Dublin (5500 Tuttle Crossing Boulevard, Dublin, Ohio 43016). Games Friday/Saturday - See above schedule.  The boys should be back by 9pm on Saturday and will be dropped off at my house!  (The UofM game is a 7:30pm game).  We will let the boys know Monday if they will be traveling to UA.  We will take a much smaller group.  

There will be NO practice for the JV Friday/Saturday.  Practice for everyone is at the regular time on Monday!  

Morning practices start this week!  We go Tuesday and Thursday from 6 am - 7:30am (see below for volunteer opportunities).  Morning practices are mostly swimming with some eggbeater at the end.  We added mornings a few years ago to help us stay in shape during the season and also help the transition to swim season in November.  While not required for the JV players, it's a really good idea to come.  Reach out in the parent GroupMe chat if you need a ride for your player.  Breakfast is provided by the team!  

I've updated our schedule for the week on the Google calendar.  You can find the calendar at PioPolo.com.  

Check out this article that Staci Almeida shared with me a few weeks ago.  Water Polo and Swimming: Sharing More Than Just Pool Space.  It's a quick read and offers a good perspective on the combination of swimming and water polo.  Athletes really can do both Polo and Swim.  Here is a quote that stands out for me:  

"One of the biggest advantages is the carryover of camaraderie. Athletes tend to build trust and chemistry in the high-octane world of water polo and bring that energy into the more individual setting of swimming."

From the Captains' Parents:  

• Tuesday (9/1) -- Morning breakfasts begin. Sign up here to volunteer. It's an early morning but simple volunteer spot. (1) Pick up pre-ordered Barry Bagels for the team; (2) Bring bagels to the pool deck; (3) Set up the polo table in the hospitality suite with bagels, snacks, drinks, etc.; (4) Clean up. The shift typically runs from about 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.

• Tuesday (9/1) -- Players will have yoga at 4:45 p.m. in the Dance Room.

• Friday (9/4) -- Team Gear expected to arrive.

• Sunday (9/13) -- Parent Meet & Greet at 4 p.m. RSVP here.

• Thursday (9/17) --  Flower order forms are DUE. Our largest team fundraiser has begun. Players can give their forms to Vincent at practice or email them to chelseavp@gmail.com. 

• Sunday (9/27) Flower distribution will be in the PHS parking lot across from the football field. Players and their families can help sort and organize between 8 and 10 a.m. We promise, it's FUN! Sign up here.

• Fall, 2026 season volunteer slots are available. Sign up here.

***A little more about the flower fundraiser for those new to the polo team. The buyers write a check or Venmo you directly. Polo families write a check or Venmo Kris for the TOTAL amount of their sales. Plants are delivered to PHS on 9/27. Boys deliver plants to their buyers, usually that Sunday if possible. Our A2 community really loves seeing the boys deliver the flowers. It's a unique and special fundraiser.

Thanks for reading!  - Don

PioneerPolo.com and PioPolo.com

Hi All -

I'm sending this email tonight to remind you to help out with the seat cushions tomorrow at UofM Stadium.  Meet at 9:20 at the big gate on Keech St.  Bring water, gloves, a hat, sunscreen and a snack.  

Thanks to all who helped make our home tournament a success.  From those working behind the scenes for weeks beforehand, to those volunteering to run the games and supply food, to those in the stands supporting our players, we can't do it without you!  

The boys went 5-0 this weekend, beating Seaholm, Thomas Worthington, St. Xavier, East Grand Rapids and Zeeland!  Good work, boys!  

Check out our schedule for the week at PioPolo.com or PioneerPolo.com.  Note we have yoga on Tuesday this week and a home game on Thursday vs. Seaholm. 

This weekend (August 28/29), we have a Varsity tournament in Grand Haven.  We would like to take ALL players to this tournament (JV & V).  JV players may not play any/a lot  of minutes in the games, but they will certainly love camping out and roasting marshmallows at Grand Haven State Park on Friday night.  

Here is our schedule for the weekend:  

Friday

Noon - Leave for Grand Haven State Park from Pioneer Rec & Ed parking lot.  We'll check into our campsite and set up tents and then head to our game.  

7:30 pm Hudsonville vs Ann Arbor Pioneer

Saturday

8:00 am Zeeland vs. Ann Arbor Pioneer

10:30 am East Kentwood  vs. Ann Arbor Pioneer

We'll be back to Pioneer between 3 and 4 pm.  

Players - please let your coaches know if you can't make the trip to Grand Haven.  Players will (as of this writing) be traveling in team vans.  We'll stay at Grand Haven State Park and sleep in tents.  We'll roast marshmallows and eat pizza for dinner - nothing fancy.  

From the captains' parents: 

The Varsity boys' campout at Grand Haven State Park is next weekend! Please visit this sign up genius link to volunteer. We'd love to know who is bringing a tent and how many people it sleeps. We also need volunteers to (1) pick up pizza dinner on Friday (it will be pre-ordered and paid); (2) support an easy Saturday morning breakfast (e.g., fruit, eggs, etc.) and (3) pick up lunch on Saturday (this will also be pre-ordered and paid).

This week, the boys will have yoga on Tuesday (8/25) at 4:45 p.m. instead of Thursday, which is game day.

Friendly reminder: you can sign up here for the 2026 season volunteer slots. This includes the game against Seaholm this Thursday, 8/27. We still have plenty of volunteer openings!

Good Morning -

I hope you are well.  We had a great first week of practices!  While many were away at music camp, we had a chance to condition and work on fundamental skills.  We even had our first Varsity tournament at Rockford High School.  We went 2-2 on the weekend and are feeling good about how we played.  We are looking forward to this weekend and our home tournament!  Thanks to all those who supported the boys this weekend.  We appreciate the food, loud cheers and emotional support you provide.

Our calendar of practices/events can be found on our website HERE.  

Here are a few highlights or our upcoming week:

Parent Meeting Monday, August 17th 7:30 - 8:30 in the Pioneer Annex

Tuesday, August 18 (4-10 p.m.): Visit the Milkshake Factory in Westgate Shopping Center for our first team fundraiser. See the attached flyer.

By Wednesday, August 19: If you haven't already, please complete this survey regarding player preferences.

By Wednesday, August 19: Order your team gear from the online shop. This includes your team t-shirt.

Before Friday (8/21) & Saturday (8/22): Sign up to volunteer here for the Early Bird Tournament. We need people at the tables; no experience is necessary. We'd also appreciate any food and/or drinks to fuel our athletes and coaching staff. 

All Season: Use the Sign Up Genius link here to volunteer for the 2026 Men's Water Polo Season

Grand Haven Varsity Tournament updates will be in next Sunday's (8/23) email.

We need you Sunday, August 23rd from 9:30-12:30 for seat cushion installation at the Big House (UofM Stadium).  This is an important fundraiser for the Pioneer Booster Club and Pioneer Water Polo.  Players, parents, siblings, relatives, neighbors, etc. are welcome to come help install the seat cushions.  We earn money for each installer who works a shift and it helps make the work go quicker.  Signup HERE.  

That's it for now!  Let me know if you have any questions!  

- Coach Don