The Ball State field hockey team opens its season this weekend with a trip to Farmville, Va., for games against Longwood on Friday and Appalachian State on Saturday.
As the games get closer, first-year coach Elizabeth Maddox said she is preparing her players by stressing the importance of working together.
"We have been working on attacking and defending as a unit," she said. "Whatever we do, if we do it together, we will be OK."
Players use time before a game to mentally and physically prepare. It's also a time for players to get their adrenaline pumping so they're aggressive and focused on the field.
Some of Ball State's players have special pregame routines.
"I always retape my stick and also tie my shoes five times before every game," sophomore Devon Bell said. "On the bus, we also listen to music, and some of the girls dance in the alley. It just gets us pumped up and ready to go."
Maddox's pregame routine is slightly different and more X's and O's-based. She said she talks to her players about her system and game plan so they can execute in each match.
"We remind them that as long as we play together we will be OK," she said. "It's about fighting for not only yourself, but for the person next to you. We'd like to see our team fight together and come out with a couple of wins."
Teams usually feel excited for an upcoming season. Entering the weekend, Cardinals players are ready to see how their different surroundings translate on the field this season.
"I think we are excited for the new season, and we are positive about the games, working together and just playing against some competition," junior Kristen Falk said.
Maddox said her team's goal is to build a program that can compete for the MAC championship this season.
Playing two games in Virginia gives the program a chance to compete against schools it usually wouldn't.
Maddox said she knows it's a long trip to Virginia but feels her team is confident.
"I just want to see us play the best we can play this weekend and come back 2-0," senior Ellen VonderBrink said.
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