Kate Watley returned to her hometown in the fall of 2021 and reunited the Troubie water polo program, for which she played from 2016-18. 

A former volleyball standout, Watley discovered water polo as a sophomore at St. Francis, then became the varsity team's starting goalie as a junior. In two seasons, she logged 308 saves against just 205 goals for a .600 average. She went on to play at Fresno State for two seasons before transferring to Sacramento State for her junior year.