On Tap with ... Holly McGarvie

A: My freshman field hockey team in the first game we played, American. I was on the right side, and two goals were scored in five minutes. One of the senior players came over and got in my face and said if I couldn’t cover the area, she was going to do it for me.

Q: What has been the greatest highlight in your sports career?

A: When the [American Women’s Lacrosse] World Cup team was announced [on Feb. 2] and one of my coaches and I were named to the team. That was definitely the most exciting thing for me in my life so far for lacrosse, and it’s definitely been a dream of mine for a long time.

Q: What’s your funniest story about a coach?

A: My field hockey coach Kristen Holmes-Winn was named to the national team about 10 years ago when she was in college. She had a picture taken of her for the national team, and unfortunately it was not the most flattering picture of her. One time my freshman year, seniors decided to put it under her board that she uses for game plans, so she picked up her board and freaked out when she saw this blown-up, horrendous picture of her. It kind of set the mood for practice that day.

Q: Who is your quirkiest teammate? Why?

A: Kristen Schwab, who plays both sports. It’s because of the way she talks out of her mouth: She kind of talks out of the side of her mouth. And she also beat Guitar Hero on expert. She is my quirkiest [teammate], but also one of my most favorite teammates.

Q: What has been your most embarrassing moment with the team?

A: I once did an impression of a Tiger. I like to go, “I’m a Tiger” with a hard British accent. I guess my coach ended up finding out about this, and it ended up being on a video that was shown to our parents at the end of the year, so that was pretty embarrassing.

Q: What’s the best part about being an athlete on campus?

A: After spending four years here, I know that coming away from here playing on the field has been the best experience for me here at Princeton. Obviously it’s been incredible to be at such an academic school. Everyone here is so talented and works so hard, and the professors are very intelligent and knowledgeable. On the field, I’ve just grown so much as a person. Being an athlete here has opened up so many opportunities for me. I’ve met my best friends, and I think in the future being an athlete here is what I’ll remember most.

Q: What’s the worst or hardest part about being an athlete on campus?

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A: Three days into preseason field hockey. Pretty much all your muscles are really sore.

You have to get in an ice tube that’s about 40 degrees, and you have to sit there for 12 minutes, and I would say that’s one of the most painful things I’ve ever experienced here as an athlete.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do when not practicing?

A: I like to sew. I’ve made a dress and a quilt too. And that’s true, to let you know I’m not BSing you.

Q: If not field hockey or lacrosse, what other sport would you play?

A: I’m kind of a nugget around campus. I would’ve loved to be a club volleyball player; that’s my dream.

Q: If you were a coach for a day, what would you do?

A: I’d make the girls run the gauntlet. Then it would be competition day. Split the team into two, and they’d play against each other.

Q: What was your favorite class taken at Princeton?

A: A Japanese history class I took my sophomore year taught by professor Sheldon Garon.

Q: Who gets the most guys/girls on the team? Who has the most game off the field?

A: By far Leah Hoagland (field hockey). She’s kind of known around campus for it, too.

Q: Do you have pre-game rituals?

A: I usually do a little cheer, because I was a cheerleader for seven years, so typically before games, I put together a little routine to get the team pumped up for the game.

Q: Do you listen to any inspiring music?

A: I am a huge Journey fan. The song Separate Ways – that song is my go-to. It’s my favorite song. I’ve sung karaoke on the bus many times.

Q: What is the most embarrassing song on your iPod?

A: I would have to say “I’ll Make a Man out of You” from Mulan.