Indiana University Athletics
Field Hockey Focuses on Team Unity (8-14-02)
8/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Bloomington, Ind. - After two long days of meetings, the field hockey team awaits the first practice of the 2002 campaign. The players and coaching staff are eager to step on the turf at 9:00 a.m. for fitness testing. Shortly following, head coach Amy Robertson and staff will launch the first full practice session.
"Having the group back together with the addition of our freshman is just thrilling," assistant coach Gina Lucido said. "The unity and energy within the team is already beyond what I had imagined at this point. I think everyone is really on track and ready to have the most productive preseason. I know the coaching staff has been inspired by the teams enthusiasm, and we are ready to begin setting new standards of success for Indiana field hockey."
Entering only the third year of existence, the field hockey team hopes to improve their overall record. One way to contribute to this effort is to concentrate on team unity. Sophomore Kayla Bashore a native of Shoemakersville, Pa., believes that team bonding is the first step for developing a successful program.
"Going into preseason I expect there to be a lot of team bonding," Bashore said. "No team can perform well on the field unless they get along off the field. After the spring season the team was a lot closer. With the new players it is more balanced, the ratio is better. Last year the freshman class outnumbered the senior class. I think that we are going to mesh well together."
Bashore is not the only player who strongly believes in the concept of team unity. Sophomores Kimberly Nash (Lake Bluff, Ill.) and Ryan Woolsey (St. Louis, Mo.) comment on the instantaneous team bonding that has already formed.
"Team unity is a vital stepping stone to create success," said Nash. "We have already experienced team unity, and it is more developed than last year. I hope to see it carry over onto the field and I can't wait to see it progress throughout the fall."
"In the spring our numbers were low," Woolsey said. "Because of the small numbers we were able to get to know each other and there were no miscommunications between any team members."
The past two days have been utilized as time to prepare the team with crucial information for the season. This time has also been spent preparing for the first day of practice. The overall feelings are of excitement and nervousness.
"I am excited to play with everyone to see our potential as a team," junior Jaime O'Pray (Richmond, BC) said. "I can't wait to see how we work together."
Freshman Nikki Orciuch enters the first day of practice with a similar but slightly different perspective.
"I am excited and nervous at the same time," Orciuch said. "I only hope that I am prepared enough! The girls have made me feel so comfortable, so I am sure that everything will run smoothly tomorrow."s
Follow the field hockey team during its 2002 preseason campaign by checking back with iuhoosiers.com for updated information.
"Having the group back together with the addition of our freshman is just thrilling," assistant coach Gina Lucido said. "The unity and energy within the team is already beyond what I had imagined at this point. I think everyone is really on track and ready to have the most productive preseason. I know the coaching staff has been inspired by the teams enthusiasm, and we are ready to begin setting new standards of success for Indiana field hockey."
Entering only the third year of existence, the field hockey team hopes to improve their overall record. One way to contribute to this effort is to concentrate on team unity. Sophomore Kayla Bashore a native of Shoemakersville, Pa., believes that team bonding is the first step for developing a successful program.
"Going into preseason I expect there to be a lot of team bonding," Bashore said. "No team can perform well on the field unless they get along off the field. After the spring season the team was a lot closer. With the new players it is more balanced, the ratio is better. Last year the freshman class outnumbered the senior class. I think that we are going to mesh well together."
Bashore is not the only player who strongly believes in the concept of team unity. Sophomores Kimberly Nash (Lake Bluff, Ill.) and Ryan Woolsey (St. Louis, Mo.) comment on the instantaneous team bonding that has already formed.
"Team unity is a vital stepping stone to create success," said Nash. "We have already experienced team unity, and it is more developed than last year. I hope to see it carry over onto the field and I can't wait to see it progress throughout the fall."
"In the spring our numbers were low," Woolsey said. "Because of the small numbers we were able to get to know each other and there were no miscommunications between any team members."
The past two days have been utilized as time to prepare the team with crucial information for the season. This time has also been spent preparing for the first day of practice. The overall feelings are of excitement and nervousness.
"I am excited to play with everyone to see our potential as a team," junior Jaime O'Pray (Richmond, BC) said. "I can't wait to see how we work together."
Freshman Nikki Orciuch enters the first day of practice with a similar but slightly different perspective.
"I am excited and nervous at the same time," Orciuch said. "I only hope that I am prepared enough! The girls have made me feel so comfortable, so I am sure that everything will run smoothly tomorrow."s
Follow the field hockey team during its 2002 preseason campaign by checking back with iuhoosiers.com for updated information.
Players Mentioned
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Thursday, August 13
Thursday, August 13
Wednesday, August 12
Wednesday, August 12