How someone describes himself or herself can say a lot about them as a person. “Hard working, caring and friendship oriented” is how Lydia Volpe chose to describe herself and her actions. Incidentally, her sport fully supports these ideals. A sophomore economics major here at Geneseo—but more than likely a future business administration major—Volpe chose Geneseo not only for the very tempting SUNY tuition and strong academic program, but because she got to continue one of her passions: field hockey.
Volpe plays right back and is one of the best defenders that Geneseo has to offer. She came into Geneseo knowing that she loved the sport and couldn’t imagine not being a part of it. Her field hockey career started at home when her parents pushed her to get involved with either tennis or field hockey. One could say Volpe’s athletic drive is in her genes, as both her mother and father were athletes, playing field hockey and tennis respectively.
“Not doing [field hockey] would be a loss because it has become a part of me,” Volpe said.
Like all athletes, Volpe has personal and team-oriented goals. Personally, she pushes to be an overall better defender and works on specific skills, such as not letting someone turn in on her. Her skill is not measured in minutes or seconds, but by how many things she can prevent from happening. Along with this, Volpe works toward becoming a regular starter—a goal that is well within her reach.
As for her goal for the team, Volpe hopes to help the Knights beat two rivals that gave them trouble last year: SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Cortland. Her team means the world to her and life at Geneseo wouldn’t be the same without them. For Volpe, her favorite memories are not big wins, but the little things, like the way they all get pumped up in the locker room, squeeze each other’s shoulders during the national anthem and high five as they pass each other.
Aside from her life in Geneseo, Volpe lives in Locust Valley on Long Island and lifeguards during the summer. When Volpe isn’t saving lives at the pool or playing field hockey, she can be found working on her own personal art collection. Art was a subject she pursued in high school and has now become a casual hobby since starting her college career.
Looking toward the future, Volpe knows that she wants to study abroad. She hopes to get that chance by completing a humanities course in Europe. But since Volpe still has two and a half years left at Geneseo, she’s focusing on the present in order to make the most of her life.
All in all, Volpe is a person who loves communicating with those around her, as well as an athlete who prides herself on being able to be both. Her main contribution to her teammates—besides her skill—and to her friends is that she always reminds them that it’s OK not to be a 100 percent perfect all the time. She wants them to know that making mistakes is not the end of the world and doesn’t make someone a bad person or player, so long as they keep going.
“[Field hockey] brings people together,” Volpe said. “I wouldn’t be who I am without it.”