Prior to an exhibition match between the USA Water Polo Women's National Team and China at Long Beach City College, Olympic champion Alys Williams will be honored upon her retirement from international water polo. The match is the middle of a three-game series between the two teams before the start of play at the Olympic Games this summer in Paris, France.

The match between USA and China at Long Beach City College is set for 6pm PT and will stream LIVE on Overnght. 

Tickets for the contest at Long Beach City College are available here.

Williams will celebrate an accomplished career in water polo. In college at UCLA, she helped the Bruins to back-to-back NCAA Finals in 2014-15 and again in 2017. Internationally, Williams competed for over eight years. She claimed an Olympic gold medal (2020), three World Championship titles (2015, 2017, 2019), two World Cup championships (2014, 2018), one Pan American Games gold (2019), and six World League Super Final titles (2014, 2016-19, 2021). Williams is also the first USA woman to be the final cut from a prior Olympic Women's Water Polo Team (2016), only to come back and make the roster at the following Olympic Games (2020). 

"Being part of the Women's Senior National Team for 8.5 years has meant more to me than I will be able to explain in a few sentences. I honestly don't even know where to begin. All the people I was lucky enough to meet and work with throughout this process have given me opportunity after opportunity to grow as not only an athlete, but as a person. I joined the National Team as a sophomore in college with narrow minded goals, and zero clue how influential this team would be in my life. My teammates, coaches, and other staff pushed me beyond limits I thought were possible, and I will forever be grateful for them. What stands out most while looking back isn't the wins and losses, or the teams made and not made, but the relationships formed day to day both at Los Alamitos [Training Center] and while traveling around the world. The girls I got to play with throughout the two quads I was a part of will be in my life forever," Williams said.

"I can't talk about my experience on the National Team without thanking all the people who got me here. Thank you to my club coaches at Newport and HB, my high school coaches, college coaches, and ODP/National Team pipeline coaches. Most importantly, thank you to my parents for every practice you drove me to, every encouraging message, every late night meal made after tournaments, and every time you flew across the world to support me and my team. I definitely would not be here without you.

"While I may be retiring from my playing days, I still have so much love for the sport and can't wait to continue to be involved in any way I can. Go Team USA!" concluded Williams.
 
"Undoubtedly, one of the most selfless teammates we have ever had, her journey within the program is a lesson in perseverance and purpose.  After the personal disappointment of 2016, Alys re-committed herself both physically and mentally to become one of the best defenders in the world.  Her transformation helped to build a consistent presence in training and was ironically, someone we leaned on heavily to provide us with the courage necessary for the biggest of moments," said Adam Krikorian, Women's Senior National Team Head Coach.