OLIVIA MARRUS

Playing Field Hockey at University of Virginia Fall of 2019
​Kinkaid (2015 - 2019) Captain, Varsity all 4 years

Profile Link
From Olivia: 
1.Favorite Field Hockey Memory? Why?
  • Going to the Disney tournament in 8th grade -- all of us graduating seniors are really close now but that tournament was the first time we all truly came together and those friendships really started to form. 5 years and countless tournaments later I am so happy to call these girls some of my best friends!

2.What was your most exciting recruiting experience?
  • My most exciting recruiting experience was either the phone call I had with my coach when they offered me or when Tina texted me and said Virginia was interested in me.     

3.Why are you playing field hockey in college?
  • I'm playing in college because I love the sport and after 7 years of playing and 5 years training year round with Pride, field hockey continues to make me happy and I want to continue that love for the game at the next level.

4.What have you done this summer to prepare?
  • This summer I have done my workout packet which consists of different types of cardio runs or agility work and I lift with a trainer three times a week.

5.If you could give one piece of advice to younger girls who want to play field hockey in college, what would it be?
  • Never give up! There were times when I was discouraged or didn't feel confident in my ability to play somewhere that I really loved but if you work hard and work through that adversity it will all pay off in the end.

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

7.Favorite post practice/ game snack?
  • Light blue Gatorade and chicken minis.

8.What pre game rituals do you use to hype yourself up before a game?
  • I make sure my hair is braided and it looks presentable and I like to listen to music and dance around in order to destress myself a little bit.

9.What made you want to be a college field hockey player?
  • I really looked up to all the older girls who came before me and decided that I wanted the same thing for myself.

10.What was one of the toughest experiences?
  • Missing my sophomore indoor season because I went to China and knowing my chances of going to a school I really wanted to play at had diminished.    

11.Year you began playing field hockey? How?
  • I started playing field hockey in 6th grade (2012) for St. Francis (my middle school)​
​From Tina:
Favorite Olivia Moment (old) / why?:
  • When Olivia scored in a big game against Freedom during the President’s Day Showcase for us to win the pool. I’m pretty sure she kicked it in, but Olivia was always so good a scoring when we needed it the most. Her intensity and passion to play always helped to lift everyone on the team when we needed it the most.

Favorite Olivia moment (new)/ why?
  • When we went to National Indoor this year, and she played so well the entire weekend.  The last game, the seniors just gave it all they had and it was amazing to see Olivia love what she was doing during that game and weekend.  I was proud of her in that moment.
  • I loved hearing recently that she not only beat her run test in college, but also that she scored in her first college game!!  Olivia, you are going to have a great future at UVA
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Story we will forever tell about Olivia:
  • Olivia played in our first National Indoor Tournament at the U14 level, and the team was absolutely horrendous losing games 0-10 consistently.  Two years later, her teams were so much better competing to win pools at major tournaments. It always gets better, and Olivia’s path through field hockey was a great example of what persistence and hard work can do.

Favorite Olivia recruiting moment/ why?
  • Definitely calling Olivia to let her know about her interest / future offer at UVA. And it was pretty much an automatic - YES!!  Almost in disbelief how quickly this all was happening, it was one of the coolest events in her recruiting path. I was so excited for her that she was going to get everything she worked so hard for.
First memory of Olivia / why?
  • That poor horrible U14 National Indoor Tournament. Still staying positive that they could win a game or score (they were so bad)…but she just kept going.  Even her parents continued to be supportive when it did not seem like there were going to be positive outcomes with our program.  I have so much respect for the girls who first started with us when we were figuring this whole thing out and persisted to the end.  It’s pretty amazing actually that she is still here :)
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