Q&A with Lauren Elstein

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Lauren Elstein and the Virginia field hockey team make its third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament this weekend. The Cavaliers will take on in-state rival James Madison at 2 p.m. Saturday in Winston-Salem, N.C. Elstein recently sat down with VirginiaSports.com to talk about the NCAA Tournament bracket, her role on the team and what she likes to do for fun.

Question: What do you think about the NCAA Tournament draw?
Elstein: I think it’s good. The brackets look pretty even. Every bracket has good teams but in order to win a national championship, you have to beat everyone. I think it’s good that we are playing at Wake Forest; we have a lot of experience on Wake’s field. I am excited that we are playing JMU in the first round. When we played them it was very early in the season and I think we have come a long way since then.

Question: Have you been able to turn your injury into a positive?
Elstein: Everyone has a role on our team and sometimes injuries change those roles a little bit. I have to take my role as an older player and try to help my teammates who don’t have as much experience playing in the (NCAA) tournament. It’s all about encouragement, being positive and helping in whatever way you can. It’s definitely not as much fun, but it happens. It’s a contact sport and injuries happen.

Question: How did you get started playing field hockey?
Elstein: I was a gymnast for about 10 years but was reaching the end of that road. So I was exploring all the sports I could possibly get into. That was about the time when they started rec leagues, around the sixth grade. I just figured I would give field hockey a go. I was able to pick up sports pretty easily. I fell in love with it as soon as I picked up a stick. We had a really great high school team and won state my senior year.

Question: What do you love about it?
Elstein: It’s just a great game and it changes and gets better at every level, especially when you get to college and get on the turf. They game is so complex and fun. There is always more to learn; you never stop learning about the game.

Question: What do you do for fun?
Elstein: I’m involved with Athletes in Action at UVa, and also in SAM (student-athlete mentors). Just being involved in student life in general is important to me. You’re only in college for four years and I think you should make the most of it. I try to be out and be around people and experiencing as many things as possible while everything is at my fingertips.

Question: What is your major?
Elstein: I am an econ major and a Spanish minor. I’m thinking about grad school either in public policy or maybe the one-year program in the Comm School. I’m not in love with business but I think econ lets you do a lot of things. It will set me up for a lot of things and leaves a lot of options open.

Question: What is your favorite spot on Grounds?
Elstein: It’s too corny to say the Lawn, but I love the Rotunda steps. I like the McGregor Room, that is my favorite spot to study. But my favorite spot is probably a bench by the Senff Gate. No one knows what that is, but everyone sees it all the time.