Q and A with Holland native, freshman Inge Kaars Sijpestijn
9/23/2005 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 23, 2005
Freshman back Inge Kaars Sijpestijn, a Wassenaar, Holland native, didn't waste time making her presence felt at Michigan State. In the Spartans first game of the season, Aug. 27, against Boston University, Sijpestijn had one assist in her first collegiate game. She's continued to have an immediate impact on the team, scoring her first goal Sept. 2, in a 4-1 victory over California. A day later, Sijpestijn scored her second goal of the season, in the Spartans 2-0 shutout against Pacific. She really made a name for herself when she scored the game winning goal against Kent State University (2-1), last Saturday in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
"Inge is a great marker and has a keen ability to step up and overtake the attacker. She is also a very good passer, and we need her experience to attack out of the backfield and help Christina organize the circle defense," said head coach Michele Madison.
Prior to Michigan State, Sijpestijn played for Hockey Club HGC in Rabobank Hoofdklasse, the highest division of club hockey in Holland, for three years (2002-05). Her team won the 2004 European Cup Indoor Championship.
Although Sijpestijn is a freshman her presence on the field is calm, cool, and collected.
Q: How did you get recruited to MSU?
A: "Annebet Beerman's (2001-2004) parents and my parents were really good friends. I sent Coach Madison an e-mail and she came and watched me play."
Q: How are you adapting as a freshman?
A: "It's been pretty easy to adapt, since all my teammates are so positive."
Q: What's the hardest thing about being an international student-athlete?
A: "I don't find being an international student-athlete hard at all."
Q: What's the difference between American and European field hockey?
A: "They play more physical here. In Holland the referees call a tighter game."
Q: Were you nervous during your first collegiate game here at MSU?
A: "No. I'm usually never nervous."
Q: What are your personal goals for this season?
A:"I just want to do whatever I can to help my team."
Q: What do you miss most about being away from home?
A: "I miss my family and friends, but I like it here, so I don't care. I still can call and/or email them."
Q: What made you chose field hockey over tennis?
A: "Tennis was more of a hobby for me. I liked playing it, but I wasn't a top player or anything."
Q: How did it feel to get your first goal?
A: "It was fun and pretty exciting. I don't really care who scores, as long as we win."
