It has not taken Virginia field hockey player Paige Selenski long to adjust to college. The freshman leads the team with six goals this season. She took time to talk with theACC.com about adjusting to college and her extensive playing experience.
When and how did you start playing field hockey?
I started playing when I was 10. My mom signed me up for field hockey camp at my rival high school.
What other sports did you play in high school?
I ran track in high school.
What made you choose field hockey?
I enjoyed it more and liked playing it because it is a team sport.
How much International experience do you have?
I was picked for the under-16 team and we went to Holland. I actually went there twice, two years in a row. After that I got picked for the under-21 team and we went to China. I got picked for it again last year and we went to Argentina. I got picked for it this year and we're going to Mexico in October for the Junior Pan-Am Games.
Of the three places you have been (Holland, China, Argentina), which was your favorite place to go?
China was my favorite because it is so different from here. It is so far away. It was neat to be on the other side of the world. And the hockey over there was phenomenal.
Talk a little bit about your trip to China. Where did you go? What did you do away from the field?
We mostly stayed in Shanghai and did a little sight-seeing around there. We played (China's) U-19 team and a club team. We went to a lot of museums and just went around town. The Chinese people were extremely nice. They had an opening banquet and ceremony for us and a closing ceremony. They brought us presents. They were really very nice to us.
How did you get involved with the National Team?
I started out with the Futures Program. Most people start out in high school. You try out for it and then you have to work your way up. There are tournaments and tryouts for every level. You get picked at junior-national camp to be on the Under-21 team. Then they select the team for different tours from that group.
What are your thoughts about playing in the Junior Pan-American Games?
I am really excited. The competition will be really great. There are a lot of good teams playing down there. The whole point of it is to qualify for the Junior World Cup, which is in Boston next summer.
What has been your most rewarding experience with field hockey?
Being able to travel to different countries. When I tell people all the different places I've been, they're like "Wow, you are so fortunate to go to different places and to be able to experience what the world has to offer." And playing hockey in other countries is different, too. You get to see how other countries play, because their style of hockey is so different from ours.
Why did you choose Virginia?
I chose it because I like the balance between athletics and academics. Most of the other schools I visited were all athletics or all academics and I thought this was a good balance for me.
How has the transition been going to college?
It is different. Playing hockey is different. In high school it is all on grass, but in college it is all on Astroturf. The game is a lot quicker and, playing in the ACC, the competition is a lot better.
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment so far as an athlete?
Being able to play on the Junior National Team and playing in college in the ACC.
What do you still hope to accomplish in the future as an athlete?
I want to win a national championship. That is one of my goals at Virginia. I also want to play in the Olympics.
What do you do when you're away from the field?
I like to hang out with my friends and go shopping.
You have played on so many teams, what was the best advice you ever received from a coach?
Michelle (Madison) gives us a lot of good advice here at Virginia, and she always says 'Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.' That is one of my favorite quotes.
What is your game day routine?
I am superstitious about a lot of things. I have different headbands that I wear all the time. In high school, I had one headband I had to wear all the time. Now that I'm in college I have a different headband, but it has to be on my head before every game.
What are your expectations for your team this season?
We want to win the ACC and win the national championship. We know we can do it if we work hard together.
Selenski and the Cavaliers return to action on Sunday when they welcome the Ohio Bobcats to Charlottesville.
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