HAVERFORD, Pa. - Freshman two-sport athlete Alex Craig relishes in her opportunity to be a part of Haverford Athletics and epitomizes the definition of a team player. When asked about her favorite aspects of both the volleyball and softball teams at Haverford, she answered, “It’s the teams that I get to be a part of. I love playing both sports of course, but being surrounded by other players who care just as much as I do makes it that much better. Every player wants to be there every day and works for themselves and the team. We all want to win of course, but we want to win as a team.”
Alex was a part of Haverford’s extremely successful volleyball team in the fall - a team that finished at the top of the Centennial Conference standings during the regular season. When asked about her favorite part of the season, Alex recalled when the team beat rival Swarthmore College to clinch first place and home court advantage for the conference tournament. She remembered the experience as “a big game that ended up being a fight. Winning that game showed how much work the team had put in all season and how it was all worth it.”
Alex also contributes to Haverford’s Softball team. On the Class of ’95 field, you can usually find Alex taking reps at third base or being a pinch runner in crucial game situations. Her favorite part about playing with the defending Centennial Conference Champions so far this season has been the team’s first conference doubleheader at Washington College. Alex believes that, “winning those games set a tone for how we wanted to play our season. It is clear that this team wants to work hard to win again and that game proved it is possible.”
Alex not only dedicates several hours a week to athletics, but is also pursuing her future goals of earning a Doctor in Psychology Degree (PsyD) to become either a sports or child psychologist. She is planning to major in Psychology with a minor in Neuroscience, and most looks forward to taking Developmental Psychology, Neuroscience of Mental Illness, and Evolutionary Psychology. She acknowledges the difficulties that come with being a two-sport athlete at an academically rigorous school like Haverford.
“Haverford is great for allowing me to take the classes I want as well as playing a sport.” She admits that she is currently working on getting better at time management and using what time she does have more wisely.
Alex plans to become even more involved in the Haverford community during her sophomore year. She will be a part of the Customs program by being a Peer Awareness Facilitator (PAF), while also serving as a host and tour guide in the Admissions Office. Alex looks forward to having an impact on the incoming freshmen and assisting individuals who are interested in the college. She encourages future students of Haverford to use the opportunity.
“Haverford is an amazing college that offers so many opportunities, and sports are one of them. I haven't even completed a full year, and I can already see how being part of the athletic life here is helping me. I am meeting people, traveling to other schools, and working harder than I ever have before. I can already see how it’s worth it.”
Written by Dayle Comerford, Haverford SAAC