her make more friends. So, despite feeling sports teams, which is the primary reason nervous, Genova found herself out on the she encouraged Genova to join the team. “It’s a really special interaction between field for tryouts with Pereira. JV and varsity,” “At first, I was Pereira said. “We’re like, ‘I don’t know separate squads, how to play field [but] we’re all one hockey’ so I felt kind team.” of [useless],” Genova Because the JV said. “But I’m slowly and varsity teams learning and I [am] almost always slowly playing a little practice together, bit more.” both sets of players Genova explains can improve. For that she felt very lost the JV players, at the beginning, but learning from other members of varsity players the team were eager SENIOR DEVIN PEREIRA raises their level to help teach her the of performance. basics and make her And for the varsity players, teaching feel comfortable on the field. “The first day, [senior] Sara Nordby concepts and skills to those who are less explained to me how to hold the stick,” experienced gives them a Genova said. “And they don’t explain [it] to higher understanding of you like you’re an unusual person, or that the game. “I kind of admire you shouldn’t be on the team, but rather like you have a chance of becoming a good [the varsity players]. I think all of JV admires player.” For Genova, field hockey is a sport [them] because they she is very inclined to play because of the play so well,” Genova support and advice her teammates provide. said. “The other day Her interest for the activity and passion we were watching their game and we for running just like a l l o w SCAN FOR MORE were ‘Wow.’” Genova to W h e n pick up the COVERAGE Genova necessary came to skills easily. Pereira, who also participates in both soccer MVHS, she didn’t know and track and field, claims field hockey is anyone but Mullen. For her, like one big family, a special element that field hockey has provided isn’t as prominent on some other MVHS that first bridge that will
IT’S A REALLY SPECIAL INTERACTION BETWEEN JV AND VARSITY. WE’RE SEPARATE SQUADS, [BUT] WE’RE ALL ON ONE TEAM.
lead to more close relationships during the season and through the rest of the year. “[Field hockey] is really great for new players, freshmen coming in, or people like Martina, a sophomore who’s looking to make more friends,” Pereira said. “Walking between classes you’ll wave to people, all your friends and field hockey people.” In addition, Genova explains that after only a few weeks of going to field hockey practice, she has learned everything from positions, technique and physical skills required to the importance of team coordination and physical endurance. “When I came here, I had never [run] so much,” Genova said. “[It was] maybe five minutes and after I [was] lying on the floor.” In terms of field hockey, Genova is continuing to learn about the game each day. And regarding her future as an MVHS student, Genova is excited and looking forward to trying out other sports, such as basketball and track and field. But for now, she says that she has a whole team full of friends she wants to get to know better. In many ways, the MVHS field hockey team has become her new family. e
Martina Genova (left) passes the ball to Devin Pereira (right)
SPORTS | SEPTEMBER 2017
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