2008 Woodie Awards
FIELD HOCKEY: Goalkeeper takes control
Sophomore gains team's confidence in her first year as a starter for Ball State
Andy Roberts
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Having played about 35 minutes, or the equivalent of one half, her freshman year, Shifflett entered 2007 with little college experience.
However, as a five-year letterwinner at Hampton Roads Academy in Yorktown, Va., including two years leading her high school team to conference titles, she had displayed her skill.
Payne said her goalkeeper is an intelligent player in addition to being talented.
"I think she has been a goalkeeper that has been very smart," Payne said. "She's been very good at analyzing play. Obviously it came out in preseason and then against Villanova she played incredibly well."
Shifflett is a pre-law major and one attribute common to pre-law and field hockey that Shifflett displays, said her teammates and coach, is communication.
"She communicates well," Humphreys said. "She fits really well in our defensive unit."
Shifflett returned the compliments to her defensive unit.
"I think our defense as a unit has really all worked together, so it helped me to be confident," Shifflett said. "I never feel like they give up on me if I make a mistake. Everybody helps pick each other up if anything goes wrong."
As the Cardinals prepare for the conference tournament beginning on Thursday, Payne can be sure her player in the cage will be ready to take her game to a new level as Ball State attempts to replicate their run to the league title game of a year ago.
"Tiffany has always loved a challenge," Payne said. "She can always see the next challenge, and she steps it up a notch."
However, as a five-year letterwinner at Hampton Roads Academy in Yorktown, Va., including two years leading her high school team to conference titles, she had displayed her skill.
Payne said her goalkeeper is an intelligent player in addition to being talented.
"I think she has been a goalkeeper that has been very smart," Payne said. "She's been very good at analyzing play. Obviously it came out in preseason and then against Villanova she played incredibly well."
Shifflett is a pre-law major and one attribute common to pre-law and field hockey that Shifflett displays, said her teammates and coach, is communication.
"She communicates well," Humphreys said. "She fits really well in our defensive unit."
Shifflett returned the compliments to her defensive unit.
"I think our defense as a unit has really all worked together, so it helped me to be confident," Shifflett said. "I never feel like they give up on me if I make a mistake. Everybody helps pick each other up if anything goes wrong."
As the Cardinals prepare for the conference tournament beginning on Thursday, Payne can be sure her player in the cage will be ready to take her game to a new level as Ball State attempts to replicate their run to the league title game of a year ago.
"Tiffany has always loved a challenge," Payne said. "She can always see the next challenge, and she steps it up a notch."
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