University of North Carolina Athletics
October 22, 2001 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 22, 2001
Fifth-year senior forward Amy Whittier recently sat down with TarHeelBlue.com reporter Lateshia Chambers to talk about her Carolina career and the future of the 2001 Tar Heel team.
THB: The team started the season with a preseason loss to Nebraska. Somehow the team has kept its composure and now you are partially through the season with a perfect a record, what do you think contributed the most to the teams success thus far?
AW: We have a really good chemistry, the leadership on our team, along with the captains is also really good, and so the team is very tight knit. Just staying together, staying positive on the field, and just working together has really helped us the most.
THB: What do you think is the key to winning another national championship?
AW: Keep going with our work ethic and the intensity in practice as usual, and for everyone on the team to know what our goal is (to win a national championship) and to accept nothing less.
THB: Tar heel women's soccer is clearly a dynasty with its numerous championships. With that in mind, do you feel that the season will be a disappointment, to the team as well as to the fans, if you don't capture the NCAA championship this season?
AW: I don't think so. Everyone will expect us to win. Therefore, it might be a disappointment for others if we lose, but as long as we out on the field and play as hard as we can with the intensity and heart and desire to play, if we still come out with a loss, I don't think that will be a disappointment. It might be a let down as far as the dynasty goes, but definitely not a disappointment.
THB: You are a fifth year senior, you were diagnosed with lime disease, and you had to take two medical red-shirt years, what kind of an effect do you think the illness has had on your life as well as your game?
AW: It has had a huge affect on my life. I am a completely different person from my freshman year to now. I think my faith has changed, my maturity, and everything like that has just done a 180. I am excited, soccer and everything that has happened to me has really changed my life and it is really neat to watch.
THB: You were once referred to as a "Walking, talking, medical miracle." You were told that you would never walk again, let alone compete, what was your motivation through it all?
AW: I think just the fact that the doctors said I would never walk again. The doctors should never have said that. So, just the fact that someone said that I couldn't do something, added an extra push for me to want to prove him wrong.
THB: You missed all of last season due to injury, but you are back this season injury free, thus far, so as a fifth year senior, what do you hope to contribute to the team?
AW: I would love just to contribute anything that can push the team forward, whether it is on the bench cheering or actually being an impact or personality player on the field. Obviously, I would love to be on the field playing but if that is not what I am to do right now, I will except that and help the freshman grow and make that transition from high school to college. I will do whatever is necessary to help the team.
THB: When you think back over the years, with the injuries and the red-shirt years, you obviously haven't had the career that you expected coming in as freshman. Do you feel the pressure is on this year for you to have a break through season?
AW: I think that looking as it last year, I think there was a lot of pressure. I think that over the summer I really prepared myself as well as I could so that I could look back at the season and ask if there are any what ifs. What if I had actually been sick? However, I prepared myself as well as I could, so I don't think that there is any pressure right now.
THB: Your life is clearly a success story, so if you could give some personal advice to your peers, what would it be?
AW: I think just to stay as close as you can to your faith and live each day being given the opportunity that you can walk and talk and just live it to the fullest. Don't take advantage of any day that you're given.
