Junior (2023):
Q&A with Tarah:
What made you choose to come to ASU? I loved all of the girls on the water polo team and Barrett seemed like a great program!
What do you wish people knew more about the sport of Water Polo? That we don't ride horses while we play and that we don't actually touch the bottom.
What is the most intense battle wound you’ve received in a game? Elbowed in the head by a goalie which left a huge lump on my forehead and a black eye.
Most common question people ask you about Water Polo… “Can you touch the ground while you play?”
Where are you from? Redondo Beach, California
What is something unique about your hometown? We have an evolved breed of seagulls that are particularly vicious and annoying!
Where is your favorite place to eat in Arizona? Snooze.
Do you have any game day superstitions? No, but I do try to get enough sleep the night before.
If you could meet any professional athlete/celebrity who would it be and why? I would meet Ryan Reynolds because he's hilarious and a general icon.
What was your very first practice as a Sun Devil like? It kicked my butt because I had not practiced in so long, but it was great to get back into the pool!
What is your go-to warm up song? GDFR-Flo Rida.
Favorite Water Polo memory? Winning CIF my freshman year of high school as underdogs..
Which hobbies do you have outside of Water Polo? I like to sing, surf, scubs dive, and water ski.
If you had to play another sport which would you choose? Volleyball bevcause I have always thought it looks like a lot of fun.
What do you enjoy most about ASU? I enjoy how friendly everyone is, and walking out into a sauna everyday.
Something many people might not know about you? I also speak Chinese!
How do you spend your off days? I am mostly studying on my off days, or hanging out outside to get some fresh air.
Skip shot or lob? Lob, skip shots that fail to skip are rough.
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Peanut butter chocolate.
What show could you binge watch? Outer Banks.
Does Pineapple belong on pizza? Yep.
Are you a morning or night person? Definately.
What is your major? Biology (pre-med)
If you could be any animal what would you be and why? I would be a hawk because I love the freedom of being able to fly!
What are your current personal goals? I want to get close to my teammates and learn and grow from them and from the coaches.
What is your biggest fear? Hurting others or letting them down.
Who is your biggest hero? All of my past coaches.
- Appeared in 11 games for the Sun Devils
- Tied her career high of two goals in a game against USC on April 15.
- Achieved a new career high of nine steals on the season.
- Tallied six blocks on the year.
- Made the MPSF All-Academic Team for the second consecutive year.
- Had a career-high with goals (2) and points (4) on 2/12/12 against Salem
- Appeared in 12 games for the Sun Devils
- Had a career-high 3 steals against SDSU on 2/6/22.
- Tallied four goals, and six assists on the season for 1-0 points.
- Named to the MPSF All-Academic Team with her 4.0 GPA.
- Appeared in three games for the Sun Devils.
- Had a season-high two points in the win over San Diego State.
- Notched two goals and one assist on the season.
- Named to the ACWPC Academic All-American Team.
- Tarah Schaffer is a four-year varsity player from Redondo Union High School in California. As a junior starter, she was one of the team's leaders in scoring, steals and drawn ejections.
- She earned recognition as Most Outstanding Player in the Bay League and earned First Team All-CIF Southern Section honors.
- Schaffer was also named to the Orange County Register's All-SoCal Varsity Girls Water Polo Team.
- During her junior year, Schaffer also participated in the Olympic Development Program and was named to the ODP All Star Team. She was also named an Outstanding Academic All-American by USA Water Polo in 2019.
Q&A with Tarah:
What made you choose to come to ASU? I loved all of the girls on the water polo team and Barrett seemed like a great program!
What do you wish people knew more about the sport of Water Polo? That we don't ride horses while we play and that we don't actually touch the bottom.
What is the most intense battle wound you’ve received in a game? Elbowed in the head by a goalie which left a huge lump on my forehead and a black eye.
Most common question people ask you about Water Polo… “Can you touch the ground while you play?”
Where are you from? Redondo Beach, California
What is something unique about your hometown? We have an evolved breed of seagulls that are particularly vicious and annoying!
Where is your favorite place to eat in Arizona? Snooze.
Do you have any game day superstitions? No, but I do try to get enough sleep the night before.
If you could meet any professional athlete/celebrity who would it be and why? I would meet Ryan Reynolds because he's hilarious and a general icon.
What was your very first practice as a Sun Devil like? It kicked my butt because I had not practiced in so long, but it was great to get back into the pool!
What is your go-to warm up song? GDFR-Flo Rida.
Favorite Water Polo memory? Winning CIF my freshman year of high school as underdogs..
Which hobbies do you have outside of Water Polo? I like to sing, surf, scubs dive, and water ski.
If you had to play another sport which would you choose? Volleyball bevcause I have always thought it looks like a lot of fun.
What do you enjoy most about ASU? I enjoy how friendly everyone is, and walking out into a sauna everyday.
Something many people might not know about you? I also speak Chinese!
How do you spend your off days? I am mostly studying on my off days, or hanging out outside to get some fresh air.
Skip shot or lob? Lob, skip shots that fail to skip are rough.
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Peanut butter chocolate.
What show could you binge watch? Outer Banks.
Does Pineapple belong on pizza? Yep.
Are you a morning or night person? Definately.
What is your major? Biology (pre-med)
If you could be any animal what would you be and why? I would be a hawk because I love the freedom of being able to fly!
What are your current personal goals? I want to get close to my teammates and learn and grow from them and from the coaches.
What is your biggest fear? Hurting others or letting them down.
Who is your biggest hero? All of my past coaches.
| Year | Goals | Assists | Points | Steals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| 2022 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 7 |
| 2023 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 9 |
| Total | 10 | 13 | 23 | 17 |