Members of the Napa (California) Vintage High School’s girls water polo program take the term student-athlete seriously. Last year, the team featured five players recognized as USA Water Polo Academic All-Americans for the 2012-13 school year.

Four girls, senior Nina Fappia and juniors Elizabeth Schafle, Frances Dahlberg and Brie Quade, received Outstanding Academic All-American honors for having grade-point averages at or above 4.0.

Senior Sophia DelBondio received Academic All-American honor and was the only girl selected to the KAI-Sports All-America team, representing schools in Hawaii and California.

“I wouldn’t be able to do the awesome things in water polo and get all these great opportunities if it wasn’t for me keeping up in school,” said DelBondio in an interview with “The Napa Valley Register.” “Our coaches have always said we’re student-athletes first and our education comes first. If I didn’t get good grades and pass my classes, I wouldn’t be able to do the sport I love. I apply myself in everything I do. I go hard in the pool and I go hard in the classroom as well, because sports can only take you so far sometimes.”