The crowd erupts with cheers as sophomore field hockey player Keeli Gant scores her 22nd goal of the season on Sept. 15, winning against James Madison and setting a school record. As her passion blooms, Gant continues to be the best scorer in the state.

Gant discovered her love for field hockey from her mother, who had played in college at East Stroudsburg University. Although her mother prompted Gant’s journey as a field hockey player, her passion grew stronger after being around and playing with her teammates.

“I love the feeling of being with my team,” Gant said. “Helping them and scoring is my favorite feeling.”

Gant demonstrates that there is room for improvement regardless of one’s position. She has achieved being ranked first in Virginia and seventh in the nation, but she plans to continue to progress throughout the season as well as in the future.

“I’ll continue to improve by communicating with my teammates and making sure everyone’s feeling supported,” Gant said. “I’ll also do whatever I can to help the team win this season.”

Field hockey coach Kristina Plaugher has been coaching Gant since she made the varsity team in her freshman year. She has watched as Gant has grown throughout this season and continues to see her improve from where she started.

“She’s always out there working hard,” Plaugher said. “If she can’t get something down, she keeps working at it.”

According to Plaugher, last season as a freshman on the field hockey varsity team, Gant was more intimidated and nervous. Now, Plaugher believes Gant has built strong communications and bonds with her teammates.

“Her confidence level has improved so much,” Plaugher said. “She started to communicate more, being comfortable out there.”

Sophomore field hockey player Manya Fowle, teammate and a friend of Gant, has known her since freshman year. Fowle considers their friendship to signal how being the star player doesn’t only mean having skills, but also relationships.

“She’s a really great friend,” Fowle said. “She’s super supportive and she’s always there when you need to talk.”

Gant has grown both individually and teamwise during the last season and the current one, from  her being in the top 45 in Virginia last year to top 1 this year. The people around her have also observed how she has improved with her skills and confidence on the field and push to continue to assist her.

“She knows she’s a good player and also she feels confident in her skills,” Fowle said. “I feel like she’s a really key part of our team.”