When Pioneer’s field hockey team steps onto the field, they’re not just chasing win after win; they’re chasing: faith. Not the typical faith, the one found in textbooks or religious traditions, but the kind built through hard work during sweaty pre-season practices, timed mile runs and boot camp workouts. The work turns into the belief that each player will show up for one another.
For junior Avery Mayer, faith is present in every pass, sprint and shot in Pioneer field hockey’s demanding season.
“You can’t get anywhere with only one good player.” Mayer said
That understanding is what drives the team’s culture, both on and off the field. Mayer believes trust is essential among teammates. Whether it’s passing the ball in a tight game or showing up to practice ready to compete, Pioneer’s success stems from believing in each other’s ability to deliver.
Coach Jane Nixon encourages the girls to talk during games and “call for the ball” to show up for each other within plays.
Preseason and in-season teambuilding activities play a huge role, too. The “Pumpkin Classic,” a scavenger hunt-meets-relayrace through the Pioneer woods involved trail running, pumpkin finding and group coordination challenges that required constant communication. Team bonding for most sports creates trust between teammates even beyond the game. It requires different skills that deepen connections on and off the field.
Team bonding helps Mayer foster close relationships with her teammates, especially the team’s goalies.
“Our goalies do a really good job,” Mayer said. “I have extra confidence in our defense because they’re like a brick wall back there.”
The confidence Mayer has in her team doesn’t come overnight. Hours of drills, shared challenges and moments off the field all contribute to that built trust.
That same kind of belief extends beyond Pioneer’s field hockey program. Across town, Skyline tennis player Emily Walker finds her own version of faith on the court — rooted in a deep connection with her doubles partner, Ellie Woodward. The two have been teammates since their sophomore year, first paired together by chance, but quickly realizing how naturally their playing styles work together. Walker believes their chemistry developed effortlessly, and they soon became consistent partners.
“We just kind of clicked,” Walker said. “She and I just kind of figured out our pattern really easily.”
By the middle of their first season, the pair asked their coach if they could continue playing matches together. They’ve stayed a team ever since, playing together consistently throughout their junior year.
Over time, they have learned to anticipate each other’s moves, especially during serves and volleys. The two have developed patterns that help them stay coordinated.
Even when matches don’t go perfectly, Walker and Woodward keep things lighthearted. They start every game with a handshake ritual and make a point to encourage each other through their mistakes.
“Even if we’re playing super badly, we’re still having fun on the court and smiling,” Walker said. “It’s amazing to have someone like that who’s there for you.”
Throughout her time on the team, Walker has had two different coaches who each made strong impressions.
Her sophomore-year coach Brad Beaver, was supportive and encouraging, helping her adjust to her first season at Skyline after spending freshman year abroad in Germany. Her current coach, Chris Theriot, keeps the energy up with enthusiasm and humor. It’s the little things he does that go far for her and her team.
“He texts the team like, ‘Ladies, get excited for match day, I bought bagels!’” Walker said.
Tennis is both a physical and mental challenge, and having coaches and teammates who understand that balance is important to Walker. As she looks forward to her final spring season, Walker is excited to return to the outdoors and reconnect with her teammates after the winter months.
The first few weeks of the season can be cold, with players bundled in sweatpants and gloves, but she said the changing weather and time spent outside always bring renewed energy and joy.
“I’m excited for the weather to get better, and just being able to play outside and also just reconnecting with my team,” Walker said.
Whether it’s Mayer’s field hockey team pushing through another grueling practice or Walker and Woodward exchanging encouragement between volleys, both athletes share a foundation built on the same quiet faith. It’s the belief that the person beside you will be there, not just when things go well, but when they don’t.
With these two, it seems as though they are on the right track to having great support systems through their sports.
