By: Lauren Grace
It came down to a choice, but she knew the answer. She could not turn away from all the hard work and dedication it took to reach where she is today.
Senior Amber Hemmie wanted something different for her final year by playing football and volleyball. She would be the first girl in history of OP to be a female kicker, but she had no previous experience.
“Soccer players used to do it at the same time so you can play two sports in one season instead of one in each season. So I thought that football would be a good chance to try something new,” Hemmie said.
The entire summer she worked with her parents, who retrieved balls for her and even had an old high school friend teach her how to kick. Hemmie also practiced with the boys running, weightlifting and after runs.
“I think that they work a lot harder than people give them credit for, like we had five hour practices and we would lift weights for like an hour and then run, we did stations,” Hemmie said. “Obviously I didn’t even participate as much as they did and like I was sore and tired and all I did was kick while they did the tackling drills and stuff.”
All of the practices lead to a good progress. But while practicing football she would switch pads to play varsity volleyball. A conflict rose, however: Attending a volleyball game before practice.
“I was not surprised. Participating in two sports during the same season would always have practice conflicts,” said coach Chris Holt. “[Commitment] means ‘I am all in.’”
Even though Hemmie has played multiple sports in the same season while managing honors courses before, she understood Holt’s reasoning.
“He basically said he didn’t want to take away a spot from someone who is at every practice than when I am not as dedicated, which I get,” Hemmie said. “I am not going to quit a team I am already a part of, so it was basically stick with volleyball or if you want to kick, quit volleyball. And I don’t think I would have even if I went back, I would have stuck with volleyball because volleyball is my number one sport. [I have been playing] Since first grade, so I wouldn’t ditch that and I love my team, so there is no way I could quit for that.”
Friends such as senior Allyson Ng were bummed to hear the news.
“I was really kind of disappointed because they don’t really let girls play, it’s not the ‘norm,’” Ng said.
Even though she cannot play she encourages others to give it a try and to support the team.
“I just don’t think people give them as much credit that they really deserve. Football is hard and I don’t really know if people realize how hard they work at practices. Especially last year, how bad our season was they were working hard and did two a days and crazy stuff while I was probably not even doing half of that,” Hemmie said. “I would say go for it, even if it is a male dominate sport, if you are good they will respect you they may not take to you instantly but once they see your skills and realize you’re taking it just as seriously as they are and that you are actually good then they will treat you just like one of the guys.”