The U.S. women's water polo team faced a devastating defeat at the Paris Olympics, losing 11-10 to the Netherlands in the bronze-medal match after blowing a four-goal lead. This marks the first time since the inception of women's water polo in the Olympics in 2000 that the U.S. will return home without a medal. Captain Maggie Steffens expressed disappointment in the team's inability to learn from past mistakes during crucial moments. The quest for an unprecedented fourth consecutive gold medal ended with a series of disappointing performances, including a prior loss to Spain. Coach Adam Krikorian emphasized the challenges of maintaining success at this level, noting the perceived ease of past victories belies the hard work involved. The team's struggles reflect a significant shift from their historic dominance in the sport.