Fall Lax Quotes: Juniors Julia Martin and Kate Lawlor

09/28/07 4:00PM

Williamsburg - As Tribe lacrosse continues with fall practice, members of the team and head coach Christine Halfpenny will once again provide insight and updates on the team's progress through the fall. This week, juniors Julia Martin and Kate Lawlor are featured. Check TribeAthletics.com throughout the fall as more interviews are added.

How was your summer, and what did you all do over the summer?

JM: It was good. I stayed in Williamsburg with some of the other now juniors, Dolly Williams and Clare Dennis, and took classes.

KL: I was all over the place. I worked lacrosse camps in Pennsylvania, and then I worked our camp here. I also went to China for two weeks. I also went to Colorado and Montana.

Kate, you, along with Jaime Sellers and Ashley Bolton were, named a team captain for this season. What does that mean to you?

KL: It’s an honor. I was very excited about it. I never thought I would be a captain as a junior, especially after not playing much as a freshman. I know it will be a challenge, but I love responsibility. I know I can step up and take on this role.

After having so many leadership figures graduate from last season’s team, how important is it for you all, as a class, along with this year’s seniors, to step up and take on leadership roles?

JM: We have met as a junior class to talk about leadership. We know we need to support the seniors, but we also know that we are all returning players. We’ve been here with Coach Halfpenny for a year now, so we do know a lot about what we, as a team, are trying to accomplish, so it’s our responsibility as well to help the younger players out and show them how to do things the right way. I think as a whole, our class has a lot of leadership qualities, and we’ll be able to step and lead by example.

KL: We’ve talked to Coach Halfpenny about how much easier it is this fall with so many returning players. Like Julia said, we know as a junior class, we’re going to have to step up this year. We need to go out on the field with confidence, and even if we might not have as much experience, we need to show teams we are very confident in our abilities.

With Coach Halfpenny now in her second season, has that made fall practice and workouts a little bit easier?:

JM: I think a lot of our uneasiness, or fear even, is gone. Last year, we had no idea what Coach Halfpenny was about or what she was going to do here. Now, we can laugh with her and joke around with her, but there are still times when you don’t know whether she is going to laugh at you, or put you on the line. But, I think we’ve all learned that on the field she means business, and off the field she couldn’t be more of a mother, sister or friend, all the qualities you need and want in a coach. It’s been nice to have that type of relationship mature. It’s a relief to be at practice though and know what to expect.

KL: It’s good for our class to have a returning coach this year, because last year was almost like being a freshman all over again. Just like adjusting to a new coach as freshmen, last year we were nervous again about not knowing what kind of running we would do, or how practice would be structured. It was a lot different last year, from freshman year, but it’s a relief now knowing both Coach Huether and Coach Halfpenny are back and we know how they work. We also know what they expect of us, and what we expect of them.

You all have completed about two weeks of fall practice now. How are things progressing?:

JM: It’s so much fun right now. We had the first week of testing, which included a lot of running and lifting. We just finished our first week with sticks, and I don’t think anyone could be happier. Of course, we have a long way to go, but finally we have the chance to work and just focus on lacrosse. It’s what everyone was looking forward to over the summer.

KL: I think we’re all exited about what the freshman class brings. They bring a lot of what the team lacked last year. They’re confident, they’re fast and ready to play. I think the losses and struggles last year kind of got to us and got in our head last year, but this group is coming out fresh and they just want to play. I think everyone has been excited, but like Julia said, we have a long way to go. We want to get to the CAA Championship and win it, and that is going to take a lot of hard work. I don’t think it’s impossible, though.

Julia, you are one of the most experienced returners on offense. As a group, the attack is pretty young, but a lot of those young players saw playing time last season. How has the group looked so far?:

JM: With a lot of returning players on attack, I think it’s going to help a lot. We have Dolly Williams, Mary Zulty, Katie Delaney and Katie Rees all coming back. We understand the motion that Coach Halfpenny is trying to get on attack. Even though as an attack unit, proportionally we are pretty young in terms of class, but the core of the group really has a good idea of what we’re trying to accomplish. Because of that, I think we’ll be able to pick up on things and execute a lot better than we did last year.

Kate, the defense looks to be probably the most experienced and deepest area of the team with you, Ashley Bolton, Caitlin deMello and Lauren Coll all returning? How has the group looked so far?:

KL: I think the defense is going to be solid. I gained a lot of experience last year, and Ashley Bolton is back with me down low as well. Clare Dennis is looking amazing in fall practice, and she will be a big asset on defense this year. Our freshmen, so far, have great instincts, and I’m looking forward to working with them in building the team defense. I think it will be one of our stronger points this year.

After the fall season and over the holiday break, the team will be taking a training trip to Australia. How excited are you about the trip and what does it mean for the team?:

JM: Every time the trip is brought up, I just get so excited about it. I think we kind of forget about it right now, because we are working hard in fall practice. But, I think as we get through fall ball, the trip will be a little bit of a reward for having a good fall season. Like Kate said with the freshmen coming in, it’s a fresh start, and having it before the season I think can only help us. We’ll have a chance to get our minds right and focus on what we want to do this year and build confidence.

KL: I think everyone is extremely exited about it, and it does a lot for the program. It can be a big recruiting tool to take these kind of trips. Hopefully, we’ll see some good competition out there. I just hope we don’t hate each other by the end of the flight!