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For some college athletes playing in a first-year program is the last thing they want to do. Heather Ziccarelli isn’t your average athlete though.
After a solid lacrosse career at MCC that featured a national championship her sophomore season, Ziccarelli had a lot of choices. The most intriguing wasn’t a traditional power; it proved to be High Point University, a liberal arts college in central North Carolina who was going to make their Division I lacrosse debut in 2011.
Two years later Ziccarelli has no regrets about her decision. In fact, the senior and her teammates have erased most people’s preconceived notions of a young program.
Ziccarelli will look to build off a season that featured 20 goals when the Panthers open 2012 against Navy on Feb. 12. High Point shocked the lacrosse world last season when they finished 15-4.
Ziccarelli was a three-time All-Monroe County selection in lacrosse for the Royal Comets. She was also won three state championships as part of the girls basketball team.
What are expectations like for High Point this season?
“I hope we come out on top again and win our conference. We play some tougher teams this year. We played Navy and Virginia Tech last year and we lost to both these teams so personally I would love to beat them this year.”
What were the challenges of being a first-year team last season?
“Everyone was mostly excited about (last season). I am sure some of us were nervous because our team was young. We had a team full of freshman and for a lot of them it was their first year competing at the college level. I think everyone was mostly excited to kick off the season.”
Was their a moment or time during the season when you realized you guys were capable of doing something special?
“Right away we knew we had something special. We were the first team here. We started a little shaky after that everyone got on the same page and worked together and we are going to do something crazy and win this conference.”
What excited you about being part of a first-year program?
“I thought it was really exciting. For me it was an honor to be a part of a first-year program. That is something that I will be able to take with me forever. I got to play with the first team in school history.”
For some college athletes playing in a first-year program is the last thing they want to do. Heather Ziccarelli isn’t your average athlete though.
After a solid lacrosse career at MCC that featured a national championship her sophomore season, Ziccarelli had a lot of choices. The most intriguing wasn’t a traditional power; it proved to be High Point University, a liberal arts college in central North Carolina who was going to make their Division I lacrosse debut in 2011.
Two years later Ziccarelli has no regrets about her decision. In fact, the senior and her teammates have erased most people’s preconceived notions of a young program.
Ziccarelli will look to build off a season that featured 20 goals when the Panthers open 2012 against Navy on Feb. 12. High Point shocked the lacrosse world last season when they finished 15-4.
Ziccarelli was a three-time All-Monroe County selection in lacrosse for the Royal Comets. She was also won three state championships as part of the girls basketball team.
What are expectations like for High Point this season?
“I hope we come out on top again and win our conference. We play some tougher teams this year. We played Navy and Virginia Tech last year and we lost to both these teams so personally I would love to beat them this year.”
What were the challenges of being a first-year team last season?
“Everyone was mostly excited about (last season). I am sure some of us were nervous because our team was young. We had a team full of freshman and for a lot of them it was their first year competing at the college level. I think everyone was mostly excited to kick off the season.”
Was their a moment or time during the season when you realized you guys were capable of doing something special?
“Right away we knew we had something special. We were the first team here. We started a little shaky after that everyone got on the same page and worked together and we are going to do something crazy and win this conference.”
What excited you about being part of a first-year program?
“I thought it was really exciting. For me it was an honor to be a part of a first-year program. That is something that I will be able to take with me forever. I got to play with the first team in school history.”
What made you chose High Point after attending MCC?
“I really liked the coaching staff here. When I came to visit I fell in love with the campus. It is beautiful down here. I really liked the weather a lot too.”
What were some of your favorite athletic memories at R-H?
“Being a part of the three-time state championship basketball team is something that is very memorable for me. Winning sectionals my senior year for lacrosse was really exciting too.”
Why did you start playing lacrosse?
“I started out in sixth and seventh grade. I think I saw some of my friends playing it and it kind of interested me. As I got older some coaches and other people were telling me that lacrosse was like basketball. I had been playing basketball since I was in the third grade. After that I hopped on the lacrosse train.”
