The 1991 U.S. women's water polo team reformed for the FINA World Masters Championships and won gold

Just the idea -- to get the "the band" back together again -- can charge one's batteries: the chance to relive good times with old friends, to reminisce over carefree glory days when you were at the top of your game.

If the top of your game was world class -- say you were members of the Women's 1991 U.S. National Water Polo Team that captured third place at the world championships in Australia -- then the rewards, and the risks, of a reunion tour would seem all the steeper.

The women of the '91 U.S. National Team did not go this summer in search of easy victories against overmatched foes in order to feel good about themselves. They are in their 40s now, but they chose to compete in the 30-year-old age group at the FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation) World Masters Championships in Palo Alto, Calif., on Aug. 4 to 17. The event attracted more than 8,000 athletes from 60 countries to compete in swimming, open-water swimming, diving and synchronized swimming in addition to water polo.

Before the meet, Lynn Wittstock, 43, a U.S. Water Polo Hall of Famer, said, "We definitely have our work cut out for us because they're 10 years younger if not more. You age and it gets harder. … Hopefully, experience makes up for age."

It apparently did, but just barely. Competing as Team Vegas/ Henderson, the 1991 squad won the women's 30-plus age bracket, but it wasn't easy. In the round robin portion of the tournament, Team Vegas/Henderson lost two out of three, although each loss was by a single goal.

As the tournament progressed, the team became more comfortable in the water. The squad also got Maureen O'Toole in the water for the medal round, one of the most decorated female water polo players in U.S. history.

In the semifinal game, Team Vegas/Henderson faced Capistrano Valley AC, one of the teams it had lost to previously. This time around, the match was just as tough, with Team Vegas/Henderson prevailing in overtime.

The final match pitted Team Vegas/Henderson, against the Winnepeg Neptunes, a team featuring former Canadian national players and which had also defeated the squad earlier in the tournament.

An estimated 2,000 spectators watched the game. "When we represented the United States, when we trained really hard and put a lot of money and effort into water polo, we might get 50 people in the stands," said Sandy Nitta, coach of Team Vegas/Henderson. Energized by the crowd, Team Vegas/Henderson dominated the final match. By the fourth quarter, Team Vegas/Henderson was up 9-1 and from there the squad coasted to victory.

For Lynn Kachmarik, 49, who is now the athletic director at St. Mary's College in South Bend, Ind., the match seemed like old times. "We had the magic," she said. "From the coaches to the players, we would die for each other." She also said the entire experience was "beyond fun."

Nitta agreed. "It was probably one of the best experiences I've ever had with a water polo team," she said. "It was good friends getting back together. We still have the competitive spirit, and it wasn't like we didn't want to win. But just being around each other and enjoying each other's company so much, that was a win already."