Rayne Lopez became the assistant coach for the Caltech men's and women's water polo teams in August 2024.
The dynamic young leader began her coaching journey with many programs throughout the 2023-2024 season, making a significant impact as an assistant coach for the all-girls' Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy's water polo and swim teams as well as for the all-boys' St. Francis High School water polo team. These roles mark a heartfelt return to her roots as she reconnects with her hometown community of La Cañada, where she first honed her skills in the sport.
Lopez's journey in Water Polo began at Rose Bowl Aquatics in Pasadena, where she excelled as a youth athlete. Her time at the Rose Bowl Water Polo Club was marked by a series of National Championships, showcasing her talent and IQ (ages 8 to 18). Now, as an active head coach at Rose Bowl Aquatics, Lopez continues to honor her roots by guiding the next generation of players with the same commitment and enthusiasm that defined her own athletic career.
Following high school, Lopez took her water polo prowess to the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, where she played Division I water polo and contributed significantly to a top-four program (2019). During her freshman year, she earned the UH Scholar Award, reflecting her academic and athletic excellence. She continued her collegiate career at California Baptist University, where she not only led her team in top drawn exclusions but also achieved recognition on the GCC All-Academic team while earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
Today, Lopez stands out as a dedicated mentor and skilled strategist, bridging her deep-rooted connection to the sport with her professional coaching roles. Her journey from a championship-winning athlete to a respected coach exemplifies her unwavering commitment to water polo and her passion for nurturing young talent in the sport. Coach Lopez hopes to carry over the same energy from athlete to coach at Caltech.
