Wolverine Spotlight Q&A: Katie Trombetta
9/3/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Sept. 3, 2015
• Wolverines Set for Eastern Road Trip at Providence, Fairfield
Sophomore midfielder Katie Trombetta emerged as a consistent and reliable presence among the Wolverine defensive unit late in her rookie campaign, and after an impressive spring exhibition season, looks to be one of Michigan's top performers in 2015.
Named a Big Ten Player to Watch at the outset of the season, Trombetta started both of last weekend's ACC/Big Ten Challenge contests at the defensive midfield position and, with the Wolverine backfield, helped hold opponents scoreless from the field.
A native Holbrook, New York, Trombetta was a three-time NFCA High School All-American, twice earning first team honors, and is a second-generation Wolverine, following in the footsteps of mother Patti (Farley), who played field hockey at Michigan from 1986-89.
As the Maize and Blue prepared to head east for its first road trip of the season, Katie took some time after practice to talk about her confidence as a returning player, the Wolverines' focus in practice this week and why defense is the best.
Q. How much more comfortable do you feel this year now having a year under your belt?
A. I feel much more comfortable. I think you can tell just playing-wise, I'm much more vocal and much more present, whereas last year I was more hesitant and passive. That wasn't necessarily because of the team, it was just that the experience was so different than high school.
Q. Could you feel yourself becoming more confident over the course of that season?
A. Absolutely. I was a little overwhelmed at the beginning; it's just so much faster, stronger, everything. As time wore on, I was starting to figure out exactly how to handle it, and by the end, I felt a lot better and a lot more comfortable with everything.
Q. Coming off a tough first weekend -- with positives and negatives -- there's a lot of work on. What are some things Michigan worked on over this week?
A. We focused on our intensity. Looking at those two games, you could tell when we were intense, aggressive and pressured -- like we usually play -- they didn't get past the 50. But as soon as we let them control it, it was a much different game. So, this week, we focused on playing at higher intensity and just worked back to basics, making sure we execute our press, our breakout and our corners.
Q. It's inevitable that every year there are some games that the team doesn't play a full 70 minutes for one reason or another. How do you combat against that?
A. I think it's accountability to yourself. If you don't play a full 70 minutes, you still find your exercise. When you're in there, you give it all you got. That's what subs are for, why our coaches do a great job to keep everyone fresh. If you're on the field, you just have to give it everything you got.
Q. You're playing defensive mid right now. One of the team's strengths the last couple season has been defense, but defense doesn't often get the attention or accolades. What do you like about playing defense?
A. It's where the action is. I love being able to stop a breakaway or being able to aggravate the other team's top offensive players. Everything starts from the back, and I love being able to be a part of that. Last season, I found my confidence playing defense. Look at that UNC game. We didn't score a ton, but we were in it because of our defensive skills. We were stopping their breakaways, stopping their outlets. That's what helps make a team so strong.
Q. What makes U-M's defense so good?
A. Our defense has a lot of confidence. Not only are we really good, we have two captains at LT [Lauren Thomas] back there. They all know what to do, and it helps having them back there. They push that confidence up throughout the field. You take more risks, you become more vocal knowing that they have your back. They'll make sure you're in the right position when you need to be.
Q. Then what needs to be done to score more goals?
A. Just take more shots. We also need to be more aggressive off the rebound. We definitely need to capitalize more on corners. We let too many rebounds come off the goalie and out of the circle. Again, it starts in the back -- everyone being more aggressive.
Q. Are you looking forward to going on the road, especially out east?
A. Totally. I'm going to see my whole family. I know Carly [Bennett] is so excited, because we're going to her house, and we're going to [Emily] Ahsken's house. The east coast is so much different. I love it. Being on the road also gives you a great opportunity to get to know your teammates better. Caroline Chromik has become one of my closest friends, but I didn't really know her until I roomed with her last year. So, I think we're all looking forward to this weekend.
