Elina Goldenberg was a standout water polo and swim athlete at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, earning widespread recognition as a four-time Broward County Player of the Year and a consistently named All-American during her prep career. As a four-year team captain, she amassed impressive stats—including 69 goals and 67 assists in the 2007–08 season—and was a leader both in the pool and in the classroom.
Upon graduating, she signed with the University of Maryland, where she made an immediate impact: earning CWPA Southern Division Rookie of the Year, setting the freshman record with 75 points, and leading the Terps in goals scored. She was also recognized as a 2008 BCAA Scholar-Athlete and FHSAA Scholar-Athlete, and represented the USA National Youth Team multiple times
