Every 12 months, the Massachusetts State Field Hockey Coaches Association follows up the day of state championships with the Best of 60 Senior All-Star Games; awarding one ultimate hoorah to the state’s high graduating gamers.
But this 12 months, one of many best possible couldn’t make it.
A special subject hockey custom unfolded the identical weekend down in Chapel Hill, N.C., and Bishop Feehan North Carolina-commit Ava Meehan was absorbing all of it in.
“I didn’t want to miss (the Best of 60), but … ” Ava stated, earlier than her mom, Kim Meehan, interrupted. “She was planning on flying home, but then UNC won the semifinal game.”
The identical day of the all-star video games on Nov. 19, the Tar Heels thrillingly outlasted Northwestern to win their eleventh NCAA Div. I nationwide championship. Ava, alongside the opposite commits to this system, was at Karen Shelton Stadium to have fun with future teammates she’s excited to play with – none of whom she’s ever performed with earlier than.
Most of them are from Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey, or abroad. But one grew up in the identical home.
Former King Philip star Alli Meehan, who graduated earlier than Ava was a freshman in highschool, gained her second nationwide championship with the Tar Heels as a part of a particular weekend. Being part of essentially the most embellished Div. I collegiate program, that’s gained twice along with her on the workforce, is an unearthly feeling.
With yet another 12 months of eligibility left, although, maybe the one factor that would trump it’s going for a three-peat along with her youthful sister.
“Not many people can even say they won one national championship, and the fact that I’ve won two, back-to-back – it’s crazy and (it) still hasn’t really set in yet,” Alli stated. “The fact that we get to have a season together is crazy. … Just as an older sister, seeing (Ava’s) growth over the last four years, I’m so excited to get her here.”
“We’ve never been able to overlap,” Ava added. “We do everything together. I just can’t wait to play with my best friend.”
Through their second nationwide championship run collectively, Alli and former Groton School standout Cassidy Thibodeau typically joked with one another concerning the grit they carry to the Tar Heels. They are the one two gamers from Massachusetts to play for UNC within the final decade, a perennial contender with 5 nationwide titles in that span. Only 4 different gamers from Massachusetts have gained Div. I nationwide championships since 2013, in order that they very a lot signify the state properly.
Ava’s dedication will make it three gamers from right here to hitch UNC’s ranks over 11 years. But humorous sufficient, neither Meehan sister was initially headed to Chapel Hill.
After a stellar freshman season at Northeastern in 2019, COVID modified Alli’s perspective on the place she needed to be. The Patriot Field Hockey membership Kim co-founded – motivated by giving her daughters a particular place to coach – instilled in Alli early on to all the time try for excellence. That meant getting into the switch portal and sending emails to “a bajillion” Div. 1 applications. Every program, besides UNC.
She thought becoming a member of the Tar Heels, coming off three straight titles, was a protracted shot. But the night time earlier than she was about to decide to Boston College, Kim instructed her she would possibly as properly attain out. So she did. And positive sufficient, shortly earlier than hopping on the decision, Alli bought a special one from legendary UNC coach Karen Shelton.
“Me, never having been down south to UNC, committed right then and there over the phone because how can you pass up that opportunity,” Alli stated. “It was just me and Ava at home, so I started screaming, ‘Ava! You’re not going to believe this!’ … Ever since I stepped foot on campus here, never have I ever once questioned that I’m at the right place.”
The identical goes for Ava, which introduced fairly an inside wrestle.
Visiting Alli down at UNC was all the time an unbelievable expertise. The championship tradition, the household setting, everybody’s connection to the Carolina blue – Ava was captivated by all of it. But as a Penn State commit, she was conflicted.
“Going down to watch my sister play in her games, the tailgates with the family after – I (kept saying), ‘I’m going to Penn State. I’m going to Penn State.’ But then I’d go down to UNC, and everybody would just act like a family. I was like, ‘This is where I want to be.’”
When longtime Penn State coach Char Morett-Curtiss retired, that was Ava’s opening to reevaluate and finally de-commit. She reached out to UNC’s new head coach Erin Matson – who simply grew to become the youngest head coach of an NCAA nationwide championship workforce at 23 – and met along with her in February throughout one other journey to see Alli.
Not too lengthy after, it was Ava’s flip to get the decision.
“I was crying, my sister was right there,” Ava stated. “We were both in tears, we just couldn’t believe it. It’s amazing. I’m so grateful for this opportunity, and I just can’t wait.”
“They (now) both have Carolina blue bed comforters,” Kim added. “I do believe in destiny. I believe in all of that. I just feel like the cards keep leading us to Carolina.”
One of the very causes Alli needed a spot like UNC is due to her want and keenness to be distinctive. She desires to signify the state properly and make everybody that’s helped her alongside the best way proud.
Being surrounded by the identical ambition is a dream come true, and is an setting she provides to.
“She is hungry to learn, and she is constantly pushing her teammates,” Erin Matson stated. “She is one of the hardest workers I know.”
Now, the individual that brings out maybe essentially the most competitiveness out of her is about to be a teammate for the primary time. Ava has already stated she’s coming for Alli’s beep take a look at report.
Finally, the 2 have an opportunity to point out off what they’ll do collectively on the identical workforce.
“The Meehan combination is something the world has not seen yet,” Alli stated. “The driveway has seen it, but not the world.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com