EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Water Polo Captain Betsey Armstrong Talks Returning To Olympics

U.S. women’s water polo captain and goalkeeper Betsey Armstrong, 29, is in London for her second Olympics since she helped Team USA nab the silver medal at the 2008 Beijing games.

Things feel different for Armstrong the second time around. “I think so far it’s just paid dividends already going through this whole experience, to London,” Armstrong told Uinterview in our exclusive with her.

“I find myself much more relaxed, much more able to enjoy the process. That isn’t to say I’m not focused or concentrated about the upcoming games, but prior to Beijing I was just a total mess, nerves-wise. It’s kind of cool to go through the process again and have some confidence from my past experience and enjoy it a little bit more.”

The U.S. women’s water polo team won the opener against Hungary on Tuesday by a narrow 14-13 margin, prompting Hungary coach Andras Meresz to call Armstrong, an Ann Arbor, Michigan native, the best goalie in the sport, reports the Detroit Free Press. “There’s still a lot of work to do,” Armstrong also said, acknowledging how close the game ended up.

Check out Uinterview’s exclusive with U.S. Olympic water polo captain Betsey Armstrong:

For more on the 2012 London Olympics:

Michael Phelps Breaks Record For Most Olympic Medals Of All Time

U.S. Olympic Swimmer Matt Grevers Wins Gold, Sets Record

U.S. Olympic Swimmer & Aurora, Colorado Native Missy Franklin On Winning Gold: ‘Pinch Me’

VIDEO: Olympic Swimmer Matt Grevers Proposes To Annie Chandler

The Phelps Family Reflects On Michael Phelps’ Olympic Career

Michael Phelps To Retire After London Games

EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympics Swimmer Brendan Hansen

EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympics Swimmer Brendan Hansen Lost His Olympic Gold Medal

Brendan Hansen To Make Waves At Third Olympics

EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Diver Cassidy Krug Describes The Perfect Dive

EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Volleyball Player Lindsey Berg Is ‘Honored’ To Be Named Captain

EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympian Nick McCrory Talks Diving With David Boudia

EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Diver Kristian Ipsen Is ‘Not Wearing Much’

EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympian Phil Dalhausser’s ‘Late Start’ At Beach Volleyball

EXCLUSIVE: Olympian Jessica Hardy Swims 2.5 Hours Every Morning