Field Hockey Co-Captain Hannah Herlihy ’26 commands both sides of the field as a center back and looks to finish the season undefeated. Having contributed to Field Hockey’s historic undefeated record last season, Herlihy leads by example and encouragement this year.
Herlihy described being voted as a Co-Captain by her teammates as an honor. She shared her excitement to embrace her new role as she knows how important the team’s captain is to the success of the team.
“Good leadership and team chemistry are really important. Fostering an inclusive and hard-working community is really important to me, so it’s very special for me to be able to have the pleasure of doing that this year with our success this season. It’s very rewarding,” said Herlihy.
Field Hockey has long been in Herlihy’s family, as her aunt played Division I field hockey at the University of Richmond. Ever since Herlihy picked up the stick in fourth grade, she has not looked back.
“I really enjoyed [Field Hockey], and I started playing club field hockey competitively. I feel like my experience in playing on a bunch of teams allowed me to build the skills to become a leader…I love field hockey and I love the team, so being a captain is very important [to me],” said Herlihy.
Autumn Christian ’27 spoke to Herlihy’s ability as a captain. She commended how Herlihy holds things down in the backline as the team’s star center-back.
“[Hannah’s] always commanding us with her voice as she’s our center back, so nothing gets past her. She’s honestly one of the most dominant presences on the field, and I think that carries along with her leadership too. She’s always there for us when we need her. She’s honestly the best,” said Christian.
As Co-Captain, Herlihy prides herself on leading by example and making sure she does the best she can to be a good person and teammate on and off the field.
“Being able to lead the team is important, but also, if I have an off game, I’m still doing my best to uplift everyone else and hold my leadership roles as a captain. Just making sure you’re staying focused on the main goal,” said Herlihy.
Cat Powers ’28 spoke to Herlihy’s positive and joyful personality off the field. She mentioned how Herlihy always offered a smile and a kind word to anyone she crossed paths with.
“She’s just always ready to go, helping everybody else out and is able to get to work and also still be smiling. She definitely helps keep everybody calm and organized and not frantic,” said Powers.
Herlihy is committed to play college lacrosse at Williams College. She cites the team’s chemistry, something she values at PAFH, as a big reason in her decision. Herlihy reflected that the coaching staff and team made her feel very welcome, and she loved the interactions between team members.
“When I met the Williams players and I went to visit the school to see how the program was, I was intrigued by how the girls interacted with each other, and I think that that’s something that was really important to my field hockey career. I feel like that helped me choose Williams, but the high level of play was also important to me as well. I would say similar to this year, [I plan on] investing in the team, giving my 100 percent and trying to bring my values from PAFH to my next experience,” said Herlihy.
