Mary VanLoh

Mary Vanloh

Playing Field Hockey at University of Virginia Fall of 2020
West U Elementary School (K - 4th)
Duchesne Academy (5th - 8th)
Duchesne Academy (2016 - 2020) Captain, Varsity all four years

Profile Link

From Mary:
Favorite Field Hockey Memory? Why?

My favorite/funniest field hockey memory was winter escape when Kate, Kennedy, Sadie, and I were all in our hotel room freaking out about recruiting and so we were watching this inspirational video on snap chat and all started crying together. Then, Tina came in for bed check (Sadie also requested a tuck in) and saw us all crying, so she came in, sat at the foot of our bed, and read the inspirational words aloud to us all, with the inspirational music in the background, as we were all smushed together in a bed with tears streaming down our faces. It just really bonded us all (and Tina:) ) because we were all going through this time together.

What was your most exciting recruiting experience?

My most exciting recruiting experience was definitely on September 1st, 2018. I was at lunch with my family in New York and I hadn't heard anything from my top school yet, and my mom was trying to convince me everything would be fine even if I couldn't play there, that maybe I could just walk on or something, and literally as she was talking I looked down at my phone and there was a text from Adam with a screenshot of an email that Michelle Madison sent him saying that they wanted me to be the last player in their 2020 class. So I started laughing/smiling and showed my mom the text and then she started crying. Then I checked my phone and I got an email from Ole and we set up a call (and I was at the US Open in New York and had to step into this closet thing) and I was just smiling the whole time and kept saying thank you.

Why are you playing field hockey in college?

I couldn't imagine not playing field hockey, and when I thought about my field hockey days being over in high school I would just get really sad... so I guess just because I love the game so much:)

What have you been doing to prepare?

I've been working on my stick skills in tight spaces, and I've been trying to perfect my reverse chip. I'm also working on consistent aim and putting the ball different places in the goal. I'm trying to get in better shape by running and doing strength workouts.

If you could give one piece of advice to younger girls who want to play field hockey in college, what would it be?

Work hard, but also remember to have fun because I think you actually play better and stand out more when you're enjoying it. I used to get super nervous when college coaches were standing on the side line and I would play horribly because I was so tentative and scared to mess up, but as soon as I got over that and just went for it and had fun, not looking at who was watching but also knowing I should be giving 100% at all times, I played so much better. Also... be a good teammate!!

Who was the most influential person in high school?

My mom :)

Favorite post practice/ game snack?

A smoothie bowl and spaghetti with meat sauce

What pre game rituals do you use to hype yourself up before a game?

I like to listen to fun music super loud in my car on the drive to the field.

What made you want to be a college field hockey player?

I love being a part of a team and being able to challenge myself mentally and physically, knowing I will always have my team supporting me and doing it with me. I also get excited thinking about how my game will grow just by having such great competition to play against.

What was one of the toughest experiences?

It was really tough when I was having all my back issues... that wasn't very fun and I had to play through it since I was trying to get recruited... and because I didn't want to stop playing even though it hurt. Glad that's gone!

Year you began playing field hockey? How?

I think I started in 6th grade (2014) because I was trying to get ready for 7th grade field hockey.