Sewanee: The University of the South Fall 2017 Field Hockey Newsletter

Welcome to the start of the 2017-2018 year and the first newsletter for our team. We look forward to keeping you updated on our program and our excitement for new adventures!

Preseason has come and gone; we are 3-1 after our opening two weekends, and we invite you to follow us on the rest of our journey this season. Check out the team, the university, and learn why we truly believe: "Yea, Sewanee's Right!"

2017 Season Outlook

With a heavy upperclass presence on the roster, the 2017 Tigers will rely on experience and leadership to translate to on-field results this fall. All three players named to the 2016 Great Lakes All-Region team return, as do three of the four players named to the 2016 Southern Athletic Association All-Conference teams.

Offensively, Sewanee returns their top three scorers, with sophomore Ceara Caffrey (Scituate, Mass.) and seniors Virginia Barry (Greensboro, N.C.) and Emily Sloan (New Canaan, Conn.) leading the way. While over half of last season's assists need to be replaced following the graduations of Carrie Anderson (Louisville, Ky.) and Kat Mulligan (McLean, Va.), the Tigers will be strengthened by the emergence of senior Monica Bueso (Houston, Tx.) and junior Hannah Tompkins (Wilmington, Del.).

Sophomore Ceara Caffrey
Senior Co-Captain Virginia Barry
Senior Emily Sloan
Senior Monica Bueso
Junior Hannah Tompkins

Senior Katie Wilson (Chapel Hill, N.C.) returns to anchor the midfield. Her stickwork and distribution skills will be integral to the team's transition game, and her leadership will support the emergence of sophomore Eliza Griffin (Stonington, Conn.) and freshman Alex Hornsby (Martinsville, Va.).

Eliza Griffin
Alex Hornsby
Nikki Ereli

The Tigers will look to replace a four-year defensive starter following the graduation of Catherine Estes (Fredericksburg, Va.). However, the team has the last two SAA Newcomers of the Year sharing key roles in the Tiger system, as junior Nikki Ereli (Houston, Tx.) and sophomore JoJo Young (McLean, Va.) both earned the league's top newcomer honors as freshmen.

JoJo Young

In addition, senior Madison McAdams (Houston, Tx.) will split time in the midfield and defensive units, and classmates Violet Hoagland (Long Branch, N.J.) and Ellen Copper (McDowell, Va.) will also lend versatility to the Tigers. Expectations are for sophomore Natalie Harrington and freshmen Abbie Wrather (Houston, Tx.) and Edith Amason (Birmingham, Ala.) to add critical strength to the Tigers defensive core.

Violet Hoagland
Ellen Copper
Natalie Harrington
Abbie Wrather
Edith Amason

While departed graduate Caroline Brennan (Knoxville, Tenn.) will be missed, the team benefits from the return of senior Katya Waters (Glen Ridge, N.J.) and the addition of talented freshmen Rachel Blum (Morrisville, N.C.) and Kadie Hicks (Pfafftown, N.C.). The three goalies allow the Tigers to face different styles in practice and push each other to keep defense as a Sewanee strength.

Goalies Kadie Hicks, Katya Waters, and Rachel Blum

We are "student-athletes!"

A hallmark of Sewanee's liberal arts education is the ability to study abroad. Our field hockey players are no different, and recent players have enjoyed their time in places such as: Australia, Austria, England, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, and partaking in a special WWII trip. Your ambition is your limit; you can enjoy these opportunities and still be a competitive field hockey player.

Junior Hannah Tompkins in London with Sewanee's WWII program.
The beauty of being abroad with teammates!
Senior Katie Wilson found time to run and admire the Alps from afar.
Graduate Gabrielle Fignar found kangaroos during her time in Australia . . .
and ventured to New Zealand as well!

Sewanee students, whether athletes or not, are actively engaged in their studies and the community while participating in a myriad of activities. Regardless of their extracurriculars, their focus on academics doesn't waver. The team has received the NFHCA National Academic Team Award for having a team GPA greater than 3.0 every season since 2010.

Feel free to get involved!

Current and former Tigers have worked in admissions as Arcadian tour guides, served the University as tutors, been members of the Honor Council and held Greek life leadership positions. They've also contributed to the community through volunteer work at local elementary schools, nursing homes and animal shelters.

Our players have published their research, sang with University groups, and played additional varsity, club, or intramural sports. A large number have been active in the University's Outing Program, either as trip participants or leaders. Many have successfully held work-study or off-campus part-time jobs.

Your interests and desires are your limits.

Remember, Yea, Sewanee's Right!

Sewanee Field Hockey is very grateful for the generous contributions Sewanee families and alumni have made to our program over the years. The YSR Club is an integral part of our program, allowing us to provide opportunities for travel, competition, special gear, and access to technology that benefits our players on and off the field. We appreciate your support of our mission to develop great players and excellent student-athlete role models.

Please click below to donate to our YSR account (specify field hockey, please). Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you on the Mountain!

Credits:

Created with images by dvanhorn - "DSC_0003.jpg"

Report Abuse

If you feel that this video content violates the Adobe Terms of Use, you may report this content by filling out this quick form.

To report a Copyright Violation, please follow Section 17 in the Terms of Use.