Indiana University Athletics
O'Connell Sisters Look to Make Impact in 2006 Together
8/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 17, 2006
Another first for Indiana field hockey. For the first time in program history, sisters will take the field together for the Hoosiers this season. After two years of playing for different teams, Kate O'Connell for IU and Meg O'Connell for Lafayette High School in St. Louis, Mo., the siblings will compete together once again to help the Hoosiers to their second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006.
Last season, Kate helped Indiana to a 17-5 overall record with her fiery play inside the circle. Kate tallied three goals, all of which were game winners including the memorable goal against Michigan State in double overtime that propelled the Hoosiers into the top 10 of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) poll. Meg comes to Bloomington as a member of the U.S. Under-19 National Team, a three-time National NFHCA West Regional All-American and the 2005 St. Louis Post Dispatch Player of the Year. Both enter the 2006 season eager to return to the field and make an impact for IU, together.
Getting to play two more years of field hockey together seems right for Kate, as the sisters have done most everything together while growing up.
"Meg and I are very close," Kate said. "We have three step siblings and one half brother, therefore we are the only two that are truly related. We have always been part of the same activities, soccer and basketball when we were younger and field hockey in high school. We have always gone to camps together and done about everything together for most of our lives. We talk frequently, and I was very excited when Meg picked IU out of her choices."
Meg agrees that that the thing she is most looking forward to at Indiana is spending time with her sister once again.
"I'm looking forward to playing two more years with Kate at Indiana." Meg said. "I didn't think I would end up playing at Indiana, but it just seemed right to be teammates again. I don't think I could ever play against her. Of course she had a big influence on my decision to play at Indiana, but I decided to come to IU because everything seemed to fit for me. I can picture spending four years at IU and excelling in athletics and academics. Hopefully we will continue the success of the field hockey program."
According to both sisters and their former high school coach and mother, Kelly Yates, Indiana will reap the benefits of having both O'Connells on the field.
"We played together in high school, and she taught me so much," Meg said. "I love playing with my sister because she always pushes me to do better. She can tell me what to do and I won't get mad. I have a very good sense of the game when we are both on the field, and I know her every move."
Yates agrees that the two push and compliment one another, making the team more successful.
"While Kate and Meg are sisters, they are truly different personalities off the field," Yates said. "Once they step on the field they compliment each other with their acute game sense and passing awareness. During high school, Gateway Club and Futures, they loved playing together.
"As their coach and mom, I think their most similar quality is their ability to make the players around them better. I think their athletic ability and knowledge from having played soccer, basketball, lacrosse and softball has made them strong hockey players with great sense of what is going on around them. Meg is smaller and quicker and very fit. She is a great passer and scorer. Kate is bigger and stronger and has great stickwork and a hard hit."
Other than their differences in style and strengths, Kate and Meg disagree on the competition in their relationship.
"We are very competitive," Meg said. "Ever since we were little, everything we do is a competition, and I always win."
"Surprisingly, we are not seriously competitive," Kate said. "We are both different, but very much alike at the same time. I know that I will never beat Meg in a mile run. We have always been very supportive of each other probably because we have always been on the same team. Now, if she decided to go to Michigan, that may be another story."
Regardless of differences, Meg is grateful Kate will be there to help her through the transition from high school to college.
"Kate is very knowledgeable of Indiana," Meg said. "She can help me with classes, getting around campus and keeping me on task. Having her there will make me feel at home."
Kate is excited to have her sister around on a daily basis again as well.
"Being able to experience everything with her this coming season is what I am most looking forward to," Kate said. "We have always done everything together and now we get to continue that through college. I think Meg could make a big impact on the team. She will fit in well. She is a team player, a great passer and sees the field well. I see her fitting in at IU and with the team right away."
Like her daughters, Yates is thrilled her daughters will be playing together at Indiana this season.
"All of the Yates/O'Connell family members are extremely excited about the next four years of field hockey at Indiana," Yates said. "We are lucky to have the girls playing in this unique situation at a top quality program like IU. I feel so fortunate to have two daughters who were pretty good at the sport that has been a part of my life for 30 years. I couldn't be happier with Meg's decision to attend IU and join her sister as a Hoosier."
