Kyle Massey

Kyle MAssey

Playing Field Hockey at Duke University Fall of 2023
The Kinkaid Elementary + Middle School
The Kinkaid School (2019 - 2023)
NFHCA and Max Field Hockey All American, All Time Leading Goal Scorer at Kinkaid, State Champion, 2x Captain

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From Kyle:
1.Favorite Field Hockey Memory? Why?

Too many amazing memories to have a favorite, but here are some special ones. Winning consecutive shootouts against AGH and WC to take 1st Place at Disney. Begging the Penn State Duck Donut guy to give us the leftovers from the batch he made after the store closed, receiving the donuts, and then dancing to Christmas music outside in the cold with the team with the donuts in our hands. Any story that has to do with sweet Maddie losing things is a good laugh. Placing 4th at NCC and playing intense rounds of laser tag with Tina and the crew.

2.What was your most exciting recruiting experience?

My Zoom call with Duke and my family. I was grateful to have my whole family there when I officially committed and to have the support of the whole coaching staff was special as well.

3.Why are you playing field hockey in college?

My why has always been for my teammates and going into my college season now I can say the same thing too. It is for them and our team as a whole that motivates me to be the best player I can be to help elevate us and push our fullest potential. If it is running extra sprints, getting extra touches in, etc. I know it will not only be beneficial for me but for them as well. I also love competition and the energy that comes with it. There is no better feeling than scoring goals, doing a little fist pump action, and celebrating with your team too. To be able to get a phenomenal education while playing the sport I love was a big driving factor too.

4.What have you done this summer to prepare?

In June I continued to train with Texas Pride multiple times a week in preparation for NCCs. I also did my strength and conditioning packet for Duke. For the month of July, I started summer school and workouts at Duke. We have been working out as a team: 3 times a week we are lifting and 2 times a week we are conditioning. We will play hockey in the evenings as well. It has been an awesome experience getting to know the team and transitioning into school as well as the field hockey here at Duke.

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

To enjoy the moment, don’t get caught up in the setbacks, continue to grow, and have lots of fun while doing it. Get close with your teammates and learn from them and do be afraid to try things out of your comfort zone. Remember, you will find a home and it will all work out at the end of the day.

6.Who was the most influential person in high school?

Tina Edmonds has been an integral part of my development as a player. She has helped me not only learn new tactical skills and become sharp at them or how to play the game positionally, but how to deal with adversity and push myself to my highest potential. I also could not have done any of this without my best friends, teammates and family. They have provided me with nothing but constant love and support.

7.Favorite post practice/ game snack?

Peanut Paradise smoothie with the Peanut Butter Banana Crunch Flatbread from Tropical Smoothie Cafe

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

Gotta hit the ship and sailor pose with Mia. Dance with the crew - a little cotton eye joe action - gotta bring out the Texas energy.

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

From a young age playing a sport in college was something I dreamed of. I played about every sport you could think of and it wasn't until I started playing with Texas Pride that I realized field hockey was the one I wanted to play. Seeing the girls above me at Texas Pride have so many successes motivated me to become a great player as well. I also loved the camaraderie and family aspect that came with it and being a part of such an awesome team and wanted to continue to be a part of that atmosphere.

10.What was one of the toughest experiences?

Our team was known for facing adversity so we encountered lots of little tough experiences, but they honestly made us closer and will still laugh and talk about them today. Also, saying bye to my teammates and best friends after our last game of NCC's. It was tough knowing 7 years of playing and traveling the country together was done, but was so happy and excited four our next journeys at the same time.

11.Year you began playing field hockey? How?

I started playing field hockey going into my 7th grade year. I used to have club lacrosse practice on the field next to where all my friends would train with Texas Pride and then one day I decided to walk on over and try it. I ended up really enjoying it. I took a lesson with Tina the next weekend and never looked back.

From Tina:
Favorite Kyle Moment (old) / why?:

I remember when Kyle was contemplating between continuing to play club field hockey or club lacrosse in middle school. Both were too much work/ time, so she had to pick one. She was a pretty good lax player, so I was really unsure what she would pick. Ultimately, we were very happy she picked field hockey because she had so much potential and was a big part of this superstars team.

Favorite Kyle moment (new)/ why?

RCC's is always a nerve racking tournament for us. Every year. This year, Kyle started us off right by getting in there and scoring on the first corner of the game at the beginning of the game. She had a phenomenal RCC and, as she had so many times before, controlled her side of the field creating scoring opportunities over and over again.
We have a lot of our players on a sub rotation during the game. I love when I sub Kyle. When she wants to go back in, she just stands up next to me. Almost like she's trying to tell me, okay I've had my break, time to go back in. She always wanted to go back in, like she did when she was 12.

Story we will forever tell about Kyle:

Kyle Power! I just started saying that one day because Kyle has this incredible power where when she wants to score, she finds a way to do so. She has this motor and when its on, no one can stop Kyle. There have been numerous games where she helped turn around the momentum of the game. Always a dependable right side of the field player, always getting the ball taking it up and making something happen between a shot or a corner. Kyle could find a way to score or get a corner whenever she wanted to.
Kyle's 7 hit. She's taken that corner since she started. Such a great right side of the field player, Kyle always took the 7's and 3's regardless if it was indoor or outdoor.

Favorite Kyle recruiting moment/ why?

Kyle had a few top choices. She was called and had very positive momentum with her top two choices from the start. It is so rare to get exactly what you want from June 15th, and Kyle did.
I remember that June when Kyle went on her two visits to make a decision. I had no idea what she was going to pick, but she was going to make up her mind by the end of the trip. She went to Duke and got this 'feeling' that it was the right place for her. I remember when she called and told me and how excited she was. Her and her family were so excited to find her new home.

First memory of Kyle / why?

I remember that first lesson with Kyle. She wanted to 'try out' field hockey. Some of her friends and coaches had told me she was this incredible athlete and if she played field hockey, she would be great. Well, they were right. In our first lesson, I taught Kyle how to hit. Immediately, she was smacking the ball as hard as she could against the cage. She really liked it too. She got this cute little smile on her face that I've seen so many times when she gets excited. On that day, she told me that she wanted to play sports in college. I told her that if she stuck with field hockey she could do it at some great school. Not sure if she believed me, but I'm glad she played with us :)