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Aug. 29, 2007
Charlottesville, Va. – The Virginia field hockey team reported to Charlottesville on August 10 to start its preseason. The Cavaliers hosted Penn State on Sunday, August 26, and classes at Virginia started Tuesday, August 28. Fourth-year Abby Taylor, a four-year member of the field hockey team, offers her thoughts on her fourth preseason stint.
“This past preseason was a very fun one. All our newcomers were a great addition to the team–both on and off the field. They are a very charismatic group and I think that they truly bring a positive attitude to the team.
“As for our returners, they are a great group. We are a very close knit team and being back on the field with them after being out last spring with my injury as well as this past summer, is a feeling that I truly love. I feel as if we are ready to pick back up were we left off last fall.
“With the new energy of the first years I think that we are goingto take it to another level. We are a young team but a very talented one. Throughout preseason we have grown drastically as a team on and off the field. The exhibition games and lovely three-a-days have helped the first years assimilate playing in a collegiate level, and our veterans have embraced their fun-loving attitudes.
“Thanks to our preseason and our exhibition games, we had a chance for the first years to get their feet wet in collegiate field hockey. Now that we have played one game, we are now fully immersed in our season. The start of classes is the final sign that preseason is over, and now we have to settle into a routine with classes, practice and games. It is important for me and the rest of the veterans to help the first years get into that routine by offering what advice I have after having been through it a couple times.
“As for our hockey, I am really looking forward to watching us grow as a team throughout. We are going to have a fun season–it will be a lot of work, but we have already been through a lot together in preseason. It will be very exciting!”
The Cavaliers continue their schedule with a game against in-state rival Richmond on Thursday, August 30 at 6 pm. The game against the Spiders will be at University Hall Turf Field.