HOOS LIFE: All-American Kyle Kology Reflects One Month Later
Junior Kyle Kology (Chatham, N.J.) earned Inside Lacrosse honorable mention All-American honors during the shortened 2020 season. The defensemen finished the year No. 1 in the ACC and No. 14 in the nation with an average of 2.0 caused turnovers a game. Kology joined the program as a walk-on prior to the 2018 season and has started 41 of 44 career games since his arrival.
Q: Now that it has been over a month since the season was canceled, what have you been able to reflect on from the 2020 group of guys?
Kology: Myself and a lot of other guys, I’m sure, have been thinking about Ryan Lamb’s last word [spoken after the last practice of the season]. We never really thought that our season could be canceled in the way that it was. We were looking out toward May and hoping the season would end with a win on Memorial Day Weekend. To have it cut short still hurts, but this is a group that will come back in the fall and never take a day for granted again.
Q: Who was a younger guy on the team that you were looking forward to truly see shine as the season went on that didn’t get the opportunity?
Kology: I was looking forward to seeing how [Scott] Bower and [Quentin] Matsui would continue to develop as the season progressed. They were starting to get a great feel for the pace of the game. It’s a shame the season got cut short before we saw what they could do against big time, ACC opponents.
Q: What has the team’s camaraderie been like in the wake of losing the season and even now a month later?
Kology: It’s been hard because we haven’t been together, but I think it is still very strong. We have Zoom calls every Friday to watch positional film and being able to interact as a group with everyone, just how we would out on the field or in the locker room, has been awesome.
Q: What has this experience been like for you?
Kology: It’s been surreal. The weirdest feeling is thinking about where the team would be on a particular date. For example, Coach Tiffany asked us, jokingly, on one of our Zoom calls last week if we were ready to play Syracuse. It’s just made me reflect on how much being able to go out and play with my teammates matters to me, and how grateful I am to have that opportunity.
Q: What is your routine like at this time? Walk us through a normal day.
Kology: I try to keep the same routine that I had been accustomed to at school. I’ll log into my classes, and after those are done I’ll go lift in my garage and try to run and do some footwork, depending on the day. After all that’s done, I’ll do some homework, and then I have the rest of the day to relax. Once you take lacrosse away, it’s amazing how much time you are afforded from keeping the same routine.
Q: One word to describe head coach Lars Tiffany?
Kology: Passionate. Whether it’s working out alongside us in the weight room, coaching on the sideline, or running sprints with us, his fervor is always palpable.
Q: How do you stay motivated to train on your own?
Kology: I think being a part of such a great program drives you to improve, but what drives me further is thinking about if I’m outworking an opponent. I tell myself that if I don’t run then somebody got better than me today. That keeps me motivated to do something every day, even if it’s as simple as playing wall ball.
Q: How has this impacted your hometown of Chatham, N.J.?
Kology: It has taken a toll on my community. My town has confirmed cases, so that is a scary reality to face every day. However, it is nice to see people walking their dogs or riding their bikes to feel some sense of normalcy.
Q: Do you have a message you would like to share with UVA fans during this time?
Kology: We hope you are all staying safe and healthy during these times and know that we are doing everything we can to be prepared for the 2021 season.
Q: To close, now that you are at home, what has been your go-to meal?
Kology: Any home-cooked meal, but if I had to pick one it would be chicken cutlets.
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