University of North Carolina Athletics
Senior Spotlight: Heather Kendell
November 13, 2007 | Field Hockey
Nov. 12, 2007
Heather Kendell, a senior field hockey midfielder from Chapel Hill, N.C., took time out recently to share some thoughts with TarHeelBlue.com.
Q and A by Athletic Communications Student Assistant Kathryn Roth
What made you decide that you wanted to play for UNC field hockey?
I wanted the total package in a field hockey program: I wanted a school that was going to challenge me academically and provide the resources to help me succeed while at the same time I wanted to be challenged to grow as a field hockey player as well. I knew that UNC would provide me with ample opportunity to grow as a player, student and person because this university has it all and it was conveniently located in my back yard!
What did you do over the summer to prepare for this season?
I focused a lot on improving my fitness level, working out almost every day with either someone else on the team or with our strength and conditioning coach, Steve Gisselman. I also had the opportunity to play with the south regional team at the national championships in Virginia Beach and to coach and play at our camps here in Chapel Hill.
In the past four years what has been your most memorable moment (does not have to be from field hockey)?
I would have to say winning the ACC championship in 2004. It was the first championship I was a part of here at Carolina and it was the greatest feeling in the world.
What are your plans after graduation?
I hope to do some traveling around Europe. After some time off I'm planning on applying to nursing school.
What have you personally done to keep the momentum of this team going?
I think I have been able to bring a positive and uplifting attitude to practices and games day in and day out, trying to help teammates if they maybe struggling.
Undefeated in the regular season, what is the team doing to prepare for the tournament?
We just want to continue playing our game, just as we've done throughout the whole season. We know that we have prepared well and we'll draw on that confidence in our preparation as we head into this new portion of our season.
Could you reflect on the last four seasons and what you think were the best moments and the worst?
I think the best moments have best moments have been sharing fun memories with my teammates. The most important thing that I will take away from all of this is the friendships that I have made. The best moments have been both on and off the field having fun with the all of the girls. The worst moments are hard to define because at the time, the losses and the tough fitness workouts seemed like the worst things in the world; but looking back on them they made me and all of my teammates into stronger players and people and they turned out to be very rewarding experiences.
If you had not devoted your time to playing field hockey while in college what would you be doing instead? It's hard to answer that question because there are so many different opportunities around our campus. I know for sure that I would have taken a semester abroad.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Italy
What is the best vacation you have ever been on?
Skiing at Whistler with my sister.
