Q&A with Taylor Swezey

Story Links

The eighth-ranked Virginia field hockey team continues its four-game homestand with two contests this week, beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday against VCU. The Cavaliers take on Ohio at 1 p.m. Sunday. Second-year Taylor Swezey recently sat down with VirginiaSports.com to chat about the team chemistry this season, her advice to the newcomers and what advice her family, including mom Laura (who was a three-sport athlete at LaSalle), dad Duncan (who played lacrosse and football at Johns Hopkins) and older brother Duncan (who currently plays lacrosse at Notre Dame) give her on and off the field.

Question: How did it feel to beat Louisville on Sunday?
Swezey: It’s awesome because last year we played them and lost in double overtime. So it’s amazing. We had two games on back-to-back days and we knew that it was going to be tough playing two games in a row. To come out as well as we did and to win 4-2 is pretty amazing.

Question: How would you describe the team’s chemistry this season?
Swezey: It’s so much better. With all the girls that came in, we just treat everybody equally this year. That much chemistry has made a huge difference in our playing too. Everyone respects each other.

Question: Coming into your sophomore year, how have you grown from your freshman year?
Swezey: Last year, halfway through the season, I had to get surgery on my leg. I wasn’t playing too well either. During the summer, I was playing a lot more, and I was much more motivated. I feel that I’ve grown a lot.

Question: What advice do you give to the first-years?
Swezey: My advice is to try harder with everything because this could be our year.

Question: Coming from such an athletic family, what advice do they give you?
Swezey: Their advice is usually to keep my cool. If I have a question, they say to just ask. When I was younger, I had a bad temper. My mom was my coach then, so they helped me so much. That advice from my mom has helped because there are so many things that could’ve gone wrong.

Question: Do you know what you will major in yet?
Swezey: I’m minoring in Spanish, and I may major in economics.

Question: What is your favorite spot on Grounds?
Swezey: I love West Range. Kaitlyn (Hiltz), Jamie (Mulhare) and I go there about three times a week.