Indiana University Athletics
Captains Selected for 2016 Season
4/13/2016 12:13:00 PM | Field Hockey
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – As the 2016 field hockey season begins to take shape, the Hoosiers have announced their captains for the upcoming year. Sophomore Elle Hempt earned the call up to captaincy, joining 2015 captains Mollie Getzfread and Kate Barber.
"The fact that I get the opportunity to lead such a great group of girls is an honor, even after just being out the whole season," Hempt said after receiving the captain selection from her teammates. "The team thought that would add a different element to being a captain, since I had to see it from a different angle last year."
Hempt rejoins the Hoosiers on the turf this spring after returning from an injury she sustained early in the 2015 season. In the last year, Hempt has observed her teammates from the sidelines and played a valuable role as a coach.
Head coach Amanda Janney was elated with Hempt's appointment. Janney has coached Hempt since her freshman season at Temple, and Hempt followed Janney's path to Indiana. The second-year head coach saw a lot of leadership qualities in Hempt, and she's glad that Hempt's teammates agree.
"We're so thrilled that she was voted captain," Janney said. "She's an unselfish teammate who spent last season finding ways to help her teammates as an encourager and an extra coach on he sidelines. I'm pleased she's back on the field, as her communication and organizational skills will strengthen our backfield."
Janney has a propensity for selecting juniors as team captains. She favors a balance of juniors and seniors, which fosters a cohesive transition from year to year. As juniors last season, Barber and Getzfread served as captains alongside senior Nicole Volgraf.
This year, Hempt will shoulder the responsibility with her senior teammates and aid the transition for the future captains in 2017.
"Since she was injured, she had to find a different role and develop those leadership skills while coaching from the sidelines," Janney said. "It's great that her teammates could see what she brings to the team, even when she isn't on the field."
With Hempt's return to the turf, Indiana gains a significant boost on to their defensive unit. Since rejoining the Hoosiers in competitive play, Hempt has started at center back, anchoring a solid defense including Malia Fujisawa, Nora Aucker, Kate Barber, and two returning goalkeepers in Noëlle Rother and Katie Johnson.
"Our defensive unit is strong already, and the ability to add Elle and make it even better is exciting," Janney said. "Her communication skills and organization brings a different piece to our team. We're looking to be more vocal and she improves that aspect."
Hempt is honored by the appointment, but she's equally excited about being back on the turf with her teammates. The Hoosiers have already benefitted from what she's brought to the team from a communication and instructional aspect. Now, they're looking forward to her talent on the field.
"I can hardly put into words what it means to me," Hempt said when asked about being able to play again. "It feels phenomenal just to be on the field, let alone in a starting role. It's unparalleled."
The Hoosiers' spring season rolls on this weekend, as Indiana travels to Ann Arbor for Hockeypalooza at the University of Michigan. Indiana will play a pair of exhibition games against Kent State and Ohio State, starting at 11:45 a.m. ET.
"The fact that I get the opportunity to lead such a great group of girls is an honor, even after just being out the whole season," Hempt said after receiving the captain selection from her teammates. "The team thought that would add a different element to being a captain, since I had to see it from a different angle last year."
Hempt rejoins the Hoosiers on the turf this spring after returning from an injury she sustained early in the 2015 season. In the last year, Hempt has observed her teammates from the sidelines and played a valuable role as a coach.
Head coach Amanda Janney was elated with Hempt's appointment. Janney has coached Hempt since her freshman season at Temple, and Hempt followed Janney's path to Indiana. The second-year head coach saw a lot of leadership qualities in Hempt, and she's glad that Hempt's teammates agree.
"We're so thrilled that she was voted captain," Janney said. "She's an unselfish teammate who spent last season finding ways to help her teammates as an encourager and an extra coach on he sidelines. I'm pleased she's back on the field, as her communication and organizational skills will strengthen our backfield."
Janney has a propensity for selecting juniors as team captains. She favors a balance of juniors and seniors, which fosters a cohesive transition from year to year. As juniors last season, Barber and Getzfread served as captains alongside senior Nicole Volgraf.
This year, Hempt will shoulder the responsibility with her senior teammates and aid the transition for the future captains in 2017.
"Since she was injured, she had to find a different role and develop those leadership skills while coaching from the sidelines," Janney said. "It's great that her teammates could see what she brings to the team, even when she isn't on the field."
With Hempt's return to the turf, Indiana gains a significant boost on to their defensive unit. Since rejoining the Hoosiers in competitive play, Hempt has started at center back, anchoring a solid defense including Malia Fujisawa, Nora Aucker, Kate Barber, and two returning goalkeepers in Noëlle Rother and Katie Johnson.
"Our defensive unit is strong already, and the ability to add Elle and make it even better is exciting," Janney said. "Her communication skills and organization brings a different piece to our team. We're looking to be more vocal and she improves that aspect."
Hempt is honored by the appointment, but she's equally excited about being back on the turf with her teammates. The Hoosiers have already benefitted from what she's brought to the team from a communication and instructional aspect. Now, they're looking forward to her talent on the field.
"I can hardly put into words what it means to me," Hempt said when asked about being able to play again. "It feels phenomenal just to be on the field, let alone in a starting role. It's unparalleled."
The Hoosiers' spring season rolls on this weekend, as Indiana travels to Ann Arbor for Hockeypalooza at the University of Michigan. Indiana will play a pair of exhibition games against Kent State and Ohio State, starting at 11:45 a.m. ET.
Players Mentioned
Defender/Midfield
/ Field Hockey
Defender/Midfield
/ Field Hockey
Defender
/ Field Hockey
Defender/Midfield
/ Field Hockey
Defender
/ Field Hockey
Goalkeeper
/ Field Hockey
Forward
/ Field HockeyFB: Nico Radicic - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Drew Evans - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Bray Lynch - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Spring Practice - Curt Cignetti Press Conference
Thursday, April 16