GD: How competitive was your family growing up with so many elite athletes around? What was it like growing up in that environment?
OS: It was very competitive. Especially considering I have one brother, I only have boy cousins and I was the only girl so I kind of got the competitive mindset and the thicker skin from a very young age. Everything was always a competition. There was always a winner and a loser every single game. We were getting bruises in the backyard and battling it out. I think that definitely contributed to our love for sports and here today our love for competition.
GD: How did you end up playing field hockey and not soccer with so many great soccer players in your family?
OS: I started [playing field hockey] in seventh grade, kind of late. I grew up playing soccer naturally. [I started playing field hockey] because all of my friends were doing it. I had always played soccer on my own with friends from other schools. So I said [to my parents] 'I'm in middle school now and my friends are playing field hockey so I want to try it too.' I just fell in love with it from the start. I played both field hockey and soccer for about two years and then I got to I think my sophomore year in high school and hung up the cleats and traded it for the stick.
GD: What in your mind are the similarities between soccer and field hockey?
OS: Definitely certain things in terms of actual field structure in terms of 11v11. The passing, moving and positioning translated over. There was a bit more coordination in field hockey I'd say in terms of actually working the stick and the ball, but I was able to pick up field hockey easier because I had that soccer experience. Street hockey with my brother in the driveway all the time also [helped a lot]."
GD: Do you have a "welcome to college field hockey" moment you remember?
OS: I came in the summer before my freshman year and to this day I tell every freshman coming to do summer school because it's the best. You get the lay of the land before everyone gets here, you get to know everyone and really get a feel for it.
If I had to pick one moment where I really felt it, it was the first round of NCAAs my freshman year and I scored the game winning goal. I was like 'Yes, it's go time. Let's do this.' I think that was the moment where I realized I am ready for this and I wasn't still trying to fit in or get a feel for it.
GD: What is playing in the ACC like?
OS: It is definitely competitive. I chose Duke for prestigious academics and the competitive field hockey and the ACC is one of the toughest conferences. I love being a part of the ACC. Through national team stuff and even club field hockey, you grow up playing with or against all these girls and they all went to ACC schools so it's always fun to play an ACC game. It's awesome competition, but also you get to see your lifelong friends. You always play tougher against someone you know so I think that sparks the actual competitiveness as well.
GD: Who on the team would be on your family feud squad?
OS: MaryKate Neff. I'd say Lexi Davidson. Hmmm…Caroline Hannan. This is a tough one. I need someone to spice it up … so Barb [Civitella].
GD: What artist dead or alive would you want to see in concert?
OS: Billy Joel
GD: What is your dream vacation at this point in your life?
OS: I'm trying to think about one spot. I've done the standard European tour. I'd love to go to Ireland and Scotland though. I also really want to go to Australia.
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Catching Up with Olivia Sahaydak - Duke University - GoDuke.com
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