North Cross High Field Hockey Coach

Coach Emily Phillips will coach girl's varsity field hockey this year at North Cross. — Photo by Laura Neff-Henderson

Emily Phillips is North Cross' new Director of Annual Giving, but she has also decided to coach the girls' varsity field hockey team. Phillips played field hockey at Roanoke College for four years and was also team captain. She graduated in 2001 and went to coach in a number of field hockey programs in Maryland.

We caught up with Phillips to see what she is looking forward to most in her first year as coach at North Cross.

Q Where were you before you started working at North Cross?

A Before I started at North Cross School I was living in Evergreen, Colorado, with my loving husband, Alex, and my wonderful dog, Barley. In Evergreen I worked for the Chamber of Commerce, coached girls lacrosse at Evergreen High School and a lot of snowshoeing!

Q How long have you been coaching?

A I have been coaching since high school when I coached recreation field hockey and lacrosse. This will be my third year coaching field hockey and/or lacrosse.

Q What are you looking forward to most this coming field hockey season?

A I am really looking forward to getting to know the girls on the team and watching them grow as individuals and excellent field hockey players.

Q What concerns you most about the upcoming field hockey season?

A I am most concerned about the depth of our bench. Our team is very small and the girls must be prepared to play the full 60 minutes. I will have to look at this more as a strategy than a concern. We are lean and mean or tiny and tough; however you want to put it!

Q Any particular players you think fans should keep an eye out for this season?

A Grace Copplestone is our only senior this year and she will be a dominant force on the offensive end. Our midfield will be dominated by sophomore, Hallie Martin. Sophomore's Catherine Jessee and Maggie Perrin-Key work very well together and will lead the defensive unit.

Q Did you play sports growing up? or field hockey?

A Growing up I played all sorts of sports but I stuck with field hockey and lacrosse and went on to play both sports at Roanoke College.

Q How has your transition to North Cross been?

A My transition to North Cross School has been great. The faculty, staff and parents are all very helpful and welcoming. North Cross School is a wonderful work environment and I am blessed to be here.

Q Are you trying anything new with the team this year that they haven't done in years past?

A I am not sure if I am really trying anything "new," maybe just a different way of doing things. Since our team is small in numbers we are going to have to do a lot of conditioning and really work on our passing game. I hope to continue and build upon a great tradition of field hockey at North Cross School.