University of the Pacific women’s water polo sophomore Hila Futorian and men’s tennis junior Ran Amar, natives of Israel who served in the military before embarking on collegiate sports careers, emerged as standouts for their respective teams this year.

Futorian was named an All-American in water polo while Amar is ranked among the United States’ top 120 college tennis players.

Both spent time in military service in the Israeli army following high school graduation, as is required by everyone above the age of 18.

“I had to serve my country before I could continue my tennis career after graduating high school,” Amar explained. “My time in the military taught me so many life lessons. It taught me to be more patient, disciplined and, most of all, mature. I have been able to take those attributes with me to the tennis court.”

Because of his tennis success in high school, Amar was permitted to continue to train and play tennis while serving in the military. He would often spend up to seven hours a day on his service duties before heading to the tennis courts for practice.

“It was exhausting trying to do both,” Amar said. “But after a while, I got used to it. I was passionate about both ventures, so it was all about giving everything I had to both, to the best of my abilities.”

Futorian also continued competing while in the military as part of the national team, which she had been on since she was 14. She practiced water polo in addition to military training, which included upwards of four weeks learning to shoot a gun and neutralize terrorist threats.

“It is basic for Israelis because many things can happen daily,” Futorian said. “You see an average person walking down the street who could take out a knife to attack people. Or you could see a backpack lying in the street. You are taught that it could be a bomb. That is the kind of stuff we were taught.

“I never looked at it as scary,” she added. “I was responsible and knew how to act if something happened in real life.”

After her military commitment, Futorian decided to continue playing water polo at Pacific.

“It was the best decision for me, not only water polo-wise but also academic-wise,” Futorian said.

The maturity and discipline from the military service helped both student-athletes excel.

In the 2021-22 season, he recorded a 16-4 singles mark, including 5-1 in the West Coast Conference.

Last fall, he put together a seven-match win streak in regional play, advancing to the semifinals in the Super Regional. He was ranked 120th in the country at the end of the fall season.

This spring, he emerged as one of the top players in the league, earning all-conference second team honors. He finished with an 8-6 mark at No. 2 singles, including a 5-2 league record.

Futorian led the women’s water polo team in scoring with 69 goals and 91 points (goals and assists combined). In addition to the All-America honor, she was named to the All-Golden Coast Conference first team.

In addition to their athletic prowess, Amar and Futorian are also accomplished scholars. Both were selected to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team this spring. Futorian holds a 3.95 GPA as a mechanical engineering major. Amar is majoring in economics, focusing on applied economics with a 3.88 GPA.