BERKELEY – First and foremost, the three current Cal women's water polo student-athletes that participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil were there to represent their respective countries.

But it's not lost on any of them that they were also part of a historic contingent of Golden Bears to take part on the world's biggest stage in sports.

Hungary's Dora Antal and Anna Illes and Spain's Roser Tarrago were part of 50 athletes and staff that made the trip to Rio, the largest of contingent of Bears yet to go to the Olympic Games. From aquatic sports to volleyball to rowing to soccer and beyond, Cal's women's water polo trio enjoyed the fact that they got to be part of such an impressive collection of international stars.

"It was amazing to find out we were the university that brought the most Olympians," Tarrago said. "When people showed me that, I was super proud. It's definitely an honor to be part of this university and to get to represent it everywhere I go."

Antal, Illes and Tarrago each took a redshirt year for the 2016 season to train with their respective national teams, but are now back in Berkeley and part of a team that could do big things in 2017. The Bears open the season Sunday against San Jose State and Pacific at the LouStrong Memorial tournament hosted by San Jose State.

Getting a chance to play in the Olympics – 2016 marked the second appearance for Antal and Tarrago – was a no-brainer. But that doesn't mean the trio didn't miss Cal and their teammates.

"Leaving Berkeley was hard for entire year," Tarrago said. "If I hadn't qualified, I don't know what I would have done. So I was really happy to go to the Olympics because giving up this year was pretty hard."

Antal made a memorable mark on the Olympics with her performance in the quarterfinals against Australia. She completed a Hungarian comeback with a tying goal with just under three minutes to play, and then converted the final penalty shot in the overtime shootout to send her country into the semifinals. Hungary ultimately lost to Russia in the Bronze Medal match.

"Honestly, I don't know what happened in the entire game," Antal said. "I really want to watch it again but I feel like I need more time to watch all of those games. We got into the penalty shootout, and it's like a lottery. Everyone can win. We got lucky."

Last summer marked the first Olympic Games for Illes, who also said she felt extra pride being part  of the Cal contingent in Rio.

"I'm one of them, so I'm really proud of them," Illes said. "I really like to represent this university."

Spain, which took the silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics, fell to Russia in the quarterfinals and ended up taking fifth place. Tarrago finished the Games tied for second in scoring overall.

"The Olympics are a very unique thing," Tarrago said. "It's something that I would have never guessed I could have done even once, so it was pretty cool."

All three Olympians earned All-America honors in each of her first two seasons at Cal, and their year off forced some of their teammates to assume larger roles. With players like Emily Loughlin, Carla Carrega and Kindred Paul developing into All-Americans themselves last season, the team the Olympians have rejoined looks much different than the one it temporarily left after the 2015 season.

"It's a lot of fun. They have so much experience and just having them bring that into the pool, whether you're a senior or a freshman, you're always trying to better yourself," senior Stephanie Mutafyan said. "Having them have that experience and being able to help you definitely makes a difference. It's been awesome having them back because they are really quick on everything. It's just so fun playing with them. It's a whole other level."

The Olympians and their teammates back in Berkeley were in regular communication during the Olympic year. The Bears followed the trio's Olympic exploits while the Olympians followed the 2016 season. Shortly before the Olympics started, the team sent each of the three a video message wishing them well.

"They were gone for almost a year but we were constantly in communication," Mutafyan said. "They were keeping up with us and we were keeping up with them."

When the Olympians returned to Berkeley shortly after the Games and the beginning of the fall semester, they had to get to know two large freshmen classes – this year's and last. But their re-assimilation into the team and its culture has been smooth.

"Coming off the Olympics is an adjustment and I think they've adjusted quite well," Cal coach Coralie Simmons said. "They love their teammates.  They love being here. They want do well in the classroom. They want to do well in the pool. They are ready to get back on the college circuit and have that college mindset."

For more on Cal's Olympic women's water polo players, watch the accompanying video or click here.