Is Queensland Thunder water polo star Abby Andrews set to be our next Olympian

Could Abby Andrews be our next Olympian? This time last year the 19-year-old water polo star was finalising her departure from Australia bound for the University of Michigan to play domestic water polo. Now she is close to Olympic selection.

This time last year Olympic Games water polo prospect Abby Andrews was finalising her departure from Australia bound for the University of Michigan where she hoped to develop her game in the USA national competition.

Never in her wildest dreams did Andrews think, just 12 months later, she would have a three Test series against world champions USA under her belt and be on the brink of Tokyo Olympic Games’ selection.

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“I thought at the time (12 months ago), Tokyo was not in my sights and I thought it would be a great time to potentially go overseas and get a good wealth of experience while the national team concentrated on their Tokyo journey,’’ she said.

“That is what I thought was best for me at the time.’’

Abby Andrews prepares to pass for Queensland Thunder. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

But things changed last year when, while at the World Uni Games, said received an email from Water Polo Australia inviting her to a senior residential camp back in Australia.

“I honestly did not know how to react because all of my plans were to go back (to play with University of Michigan),’’ the Indooroopilly resident said. “But speaking with my family, I could not turn it down.

“Even if I was not in their sights (for Tokyo), I was going to improve so much ((by attending the camp) and they believed in me. So I had to believe in myself.’’

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From that camp she progressed into the Australian squad for the three Tests against USA last month. twice coming off the bench.

Andrews had experienced playing many of the US team members while playing for Michigan, but confronting them as a team was a “great experience’’.

“They are the best in the world. I felt like I really had to back myself and really believe I was there for a reason and I am not just the new kid anymore.’’

Andrews, arms folded, and her team mates listen to Queensland Thunder coach Benn Lees against UWA Torpedoes earlier this month. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

The Queensland Thunder young veteran was the “new kid’’ in 2018 when, aged 17, she was ushered into the senior Australian squad for internationals against Italy and the USA.

Now 19, she is a focal point for the Aussie attack on the left side of the pool where she has learned to back herself just as the national selectors backed her.

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Unlike two years earlier when Andrews was capped up, but did not get in the pool against the USA, Andrews had plenty of game time in two of the three Tests last month

Halfway through the first quarter of one of the Tests against the US, Andrews got the call: “Abby go in’’

The delicate control of Abby Andrews on show for the Queensland Thunder. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

“I was so shocked. I was a bit shaky at the start, but came through and followed my systems,’’ she recalled,

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And now Andrews is on the brink of Olympic Games selection.

“Obviously it is not cemented and I still have a lot of work to go and I could peter out tomorrow,’’ said the Indooroopilly State School and Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School alumni.

“But I am prepared for either way. Either way I have improved so much. It is a possibility and has always been my dream.

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“They held a Towards Tokyo camp in 2015 and 2016. I looked at the girls who were going to Rio and I was not even close to them.

“But all you need is a little bit of improvement.’’

Meanwhile, Andrews and her Queensland Thunder team continues its season in the Australian Waterpolo League after a bye this weekend, playing away to Adelaide on February 22-23. Andrew Dawson will have coverage of all remaining fixtures.