With three of the girls on the Virginia roster hailing from Lititz, Pa., the small town in central Pennsylvania has found a real niche in the Virginia field hockey program.
Seniors Sarah Miller and Dana Anderson welcomed the third Lititz resident to the team, Lucy Meyers, this fall.
All three graduated from Warwick High School, where Virginia head coach Jess Wilk was visiting on a recruiting trip yesterday.
But even before Miller and Anderson arrived on Grounds, Katie Jo Gerfen set the precedent for all future Virginia bound Lititz-ites. The 2003 graduate started every game as a freshman and was an All-American by her senior year.
Anderson credited Gerfen's influence as a major reason for her decision to attend the University.
"I had received letters from them [Virginia coaches], and then I went and visited here, and at the time, Katie Jo Gerfen was playing here," Anderson said. "And I knew that if Katie Jo loved it here, then anybody could love it here."
Miller and Anderson did not have any specific intentions of attending the University together, but Anderson pointed out that playing together in college has worked out for both of them.
"We weren't planning on going to the same school at all," Anderson said. "I mean, I was excited to have someone come here with me so I wouldn't be coming to a school where I didn't know anybody. It was awesome that she was able to come here as well."
Anderson anchors the defensive backfield for the Cavaliers, while Miller starts at midfield. Meyers has started nine games on defense so far during her freshman year. As the Cavaliers continue to develop the possession-oriented style of play Wilk has favored this year, Anderson and Miller each play major roles in moving the ball.
Anderson often serves as a safety valve on both offense and defense, generally hanging back a bit to provide constant support on the ball. Once passed her way, though, Anderson's role is enhanced, as she becomes an offensive catalyst responsible for finding the right target and distributing the ball effectively to her teammates.
Miller's contributions as a midfielder are more intangible and thus often overlooked. However, as Wilk seeks out new talent at Warwick High, she will look for players in Miller's and Anderson's cast -- players who work hard and can do it all.
"They bring a tremendous work ethic," Wilk said. "They bring a good understanding of the game [and] great fundamentals."
They also bring a habit of winning. From 1998-2001, Warwick won its division three times and was runner-up once. The Warriors also won their section the four years Miller and Anderson were on the team. In both 1999 and 2000, Warwick took home the state championship, dominating the competition.
Overall, from 1998-2000, Warwick field hockey went an absurd 67-5-1.
With such an exceptional high-school record, it should come as no surprise that Miller, Anderson and Meyers have brought a winning attitude to Virginia field hockey.
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