October 22, 2010

Oct. 22, 2010

Stockton, Calif. -

The Tigers senior forward and leading scorer Kelly Perkins (Gilroy, Calif.) talks about the team, her leadership role, their opponents, and her goals after graduation.

1.  Are you having fun this season?

Yes, it's been a lot of fun traveling and bonding with my teammates in my last season. The team is really close this season so it has been a great time seeing my teammates every day.

2.  What has been the best part of the season so far?

Having all the new freshman is always a lot of fun; we got a really good freshman class this year, a lot of girls that we all get along with really well, traveling and team activities are a lot of fun.  I fell like the energy and attitude of everyone has been great.

3.  What is it about Gilroy High School that produces so many college field hockey players?

Honestly, it’s the coaches.  I started when I was in fifth grade, but the coaches are family friends.  They have programs for younger kids and the club team is really big.  They have not only under 19 and under 16 teams, but they have under 12 teams as well.  They start it younger and give an opportunity for kids to come out and try a new sport. 

4. What do you guys have to do to start getting wins?

We have to play a full seventy minutes.  I think that has been our struggle so far, not finishing an entire game.  I don’t think we have given up, but we need to work cohesively as one.

5.  As one of only four seniors, what kind of leadership have you had to provide?

Mostly, it’s been accountability.  It’s holding yourself to a higher standard, making sure you are working hard enough.  The coach cant always be on you about making sure that you are going as hard as you can.  They don’t always, for the newer girls, know their boundaries for hard work.  It’s really about holding yourself to a higher standard. 

6.  What are your thoughts on your field hockey future?

There is no future in field hockey unless you make the national team.  I have played with the idea of finding a grad assistant position in the Midwest or east coast.  I coached a lot of camps this summer; I enjoy coaching field hockey.  

7.  What are your thoughts about taking on No. 2 Maryland?  

Basically, we just need to compete and hold our own.  It’s a tough one, and they are a really good team.  We just need to keep working on what we have been working on to complete a full seventy minutes.