Q: I realize that a lot of varsity players graduated last year. How has that had an impact on your team this year?

A: Losing our 10 experienced seniors to graduation left a big hole in our team–but, it allowed an equally large group of last year’s JV players to move up to Varsity together.  These girls have played together under the superb instruction of Coach Stribling and Coach Arias–many for 2 years or more–and are very ready to compete as a team at the Varsity level. 

Q: What are your hopes for this season?

A:  I hope that we will continue to work hard every day to develop the skills and teamwork necessary to compete in our challenging conference, region and state and put our best effort into every practice and game.  I hope we can be a rock solid team that really steps up to every challenge!

Q: What are your key essentials for having a successful season? 

A: AHS Field Hockey has to be FUN while challenging each of us to give our best effort each day to help our team (and ourselves) to be the BEST that we can be.

Q: What are you looking forward to the most this season?

A: spending a few hours each day working with an exceptional group of girls and coaches!

Q: How do you motivate your team before a game?

A:  This team is extremely motivated so my role is to focus that motivation in a positive, team direction–we focus on HOW we play, not who we play and our team and individual goals focus on the most important parts of our game that are within our control.

Q: What are your goals as the varsity coach and what are your goals for the whole program?

A:The goals are the same:  that each player enjoys the season, learns life lessons by working their hardest with teammates toward common goals, develops a healthy love of sport (especially field hockey) and physical activity, and feels empowered to conquer the many challenges of everyday life!

Q: Anything else you would like to add? 

Quality leadership is extremely important for every successful team and our captains–Lizzie Manthos and Katie McCann are doing an excellent job of keeping us positive and very productive every day!