Polaha was named Atlantic 10 Women's Swimming & Diving Rookie of the Week, after starting her career with a bang. She won three individual events and three relays in the first two meets of the year, both of which were wins for Fordham. Against Marist, she captured the 200 IM and 200 butterfly events, while swimming a leg of the winning 400 medley relay. She followed with wins in the 200 backstroke, 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay against Fairfield, while also taking second in the 200 backstroke against the Stags.