Catching up with first-year Anna Piecuch
10/22/2019 6:58:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Throughout the 2019 season, Lehighsports.com will catch up with the Mountain Hawks' first-years to get to know the newest Mountain Hawks. We continue today with Anna Piecuch.
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What was the most challenging part of preseason and the overall transition to college field hockey?
AP:Â The most challenging part of transitioning to collegiate field hockey was adapting to an unfamiliar environment and learning to use my voice as a tool on the field. I learned how to demand more out of my teammates and develop chemistry through giving mutual feedback and direction. Being surrounded by a group of players similar to your level and style makes for great competitive hockey that forces everyone to grow.
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What has the transition been like in the classroom?
AP: College homework has been manageable with field hockey. Professors at Lehigh are very approachable and understanding, and they prioritize the needs of their students, providing available resources.
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What has surprised you most about your experience thus far?
AP: I have been most surprised by the vast amount of resources that are available to us, so there is no excuse to not get help when we need it.
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Which teammates have had the biggest impact on you and why?Â
AP: I admire Amanda Boyer's leadership that guides our team and sets the tone in order for us to accomplish what we look to do. I also appreciate Drew Pecora's advice on the forward line and insight from her experience, as well as Maddie Monahan's contagious energy that she brings consistently to our team. Liv Perrone directs with her voice well to help our team transition the ball, which I value, and Sam Nason has greatly helped me improve at individual sessions with her strong 1v1 defense.
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What program values do you best emulate that you feel have made you a great fit for Lehigh?
AP: I feel that I best display the values of "Team First" and "Integrity," since I look to make happen what is in the team's best interest and hold myself accountable for my mistakes, as well as communicate with others.
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What was the feeling stepping onto the field for your first collegiate game?
AP: I expected to be more nervous initially, but since I had undergone preseason with this team and developed relationships with them, I felt we were going into it together and focused on the fact that we were "all in," each giving our 100 percent.
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What has allowed you to become more comfortable with college field hockey as each practice and game has passed?
AP: I have grown more and more comfortable with the speed of the game, as well as anticipating passing patterns and how to effectively intercept. Our coaches have devoted countless hours to cutting film for us so we can focus on what needs fixed, and they encourage us to continue asking questions in order to improve our game and understanding.
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How do you (and the team) stay positive despite the team's recent struggles?
AP: Our team brings a fresh mindset into each new game, putting our struggles behind us, but keeping in mind what we know we can fix and control. We want to work to give Abe (Amanda Boyer) the best season she's ever had, which she deserves, before she leaves us. We lift each other up with reminders to have confidence in our abilities and to leave it all out on the field.
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What was the most challenging part of preseason and the overall transition to college field hockey?
AP:Â The most challenging part of transitioning to collegiate field hockey was adapting to an unfamiliar environment and learning to use my voice as a tool on the field. I learned how to demand more out of my teammates and develop chemistry through giving mutual feedback and direction. Being surrounded by a group of players similar to your level and style makes for great competitive hockey that forces everyone to grow.
Â
What has the transition been like in the classroom?
AP: College homework has been manageable with field hockey. Professors at Lehigh are very approachable and understanding, and they prioritize the needs of their students, providing available resources.
Â
What has surprised you most about your experience thus far?
AP: I have been most surprised by the vast amount of resources that are available to us, so there is no excuse to not get help when we need it.
Â
Which teammates have had the biggest impact on you and why?Â
AP: I admire Amanda Boyer's leadership that guides our team and sets the tone in order for us to accomplish what we look to do. I also appreciate Drew Pecora's advice on the forward line and insight from her experience, as well as Maddie Monahan's contagious energy that she brings consistently to our team. Liv Perrone directs with her voice well to help our team transition the ball, which I value, and Sam Nason has greatly helped me improve at individual sessions with her strong 1v1 defense.
Â
What program values do you best emulate that you feel have made you a great fit for Lehigh?
AP: I feel that I best display the values of "Team First" and "Integrity," since I look to make happen what is in the team's best interest and hold myself accountable for my mistakes, as well as communicate with others.
Â
What was the feeling stepping onto the field for your first collegiate game?
AP: I expected to be more nervous initially, but since I had undergone preseason with this team and developed relationships with them, I felt we were going into it together and focused on the fact that we were "all in," each giving our 100 percent.
Â
What has allowed you to become more comfortable with college field hockey as each practice and game has passed?
AP: I have grown more and more comfortable with the speed of the game, as well as anticipating passing patterns and how to effectively intercept. Our coaches have devoted countless hours to cutting film for us so we can focus on what needs fixed, and they encourage us to continue asking questions in order to improve our game and understanding.
Â
How do you (and the team) stay positive despite the team's recent struggles?
AP: Our team brings a fresh mindset into each new game, putting our struggles behind us, but keeping in mind what we know we can fix and control. We want to work to give Abe (Amanda Boyer) the best season she's ever had, which she deserves, before she leaves us. We lift each other up with reminders to have confidence in our abilities and to leave it all out on the field.
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