Merion Mercy Academy’s Cate Voegele is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
A senior center back, Voegele is a two-way threat for the Golden Bears, who finished third in the District 1 2A field hockey tournament. She controls Merion Mercy’s defense, and has scored 14 goals and dished out seven assists (as of Nov. 8). Merion Mercy field hockey head coach Nicole Gerdes said, “Cate is a terrific and dedicated leader on and off of the field. Her skills, athleticism, and game sense are incredible along with her achievements academically. Cate’s defensive skills have saved us so many times in the heat of the battle. She is such a talented player and a pleasure to watch on the field.” A three-sport athlete at Merion Mercy (field hockey, basketball, lacrosse) Voegele is the president of the school’s History Club and a member of Varsity Mathletes and the Blue Key Society (student ambassadors).
Q: What originally attracted you to the center back position? How do you see your role as a leader of the defense as a center back?
A: As a freshman I had the opportunity to play both center and left back. I had never played defense before but I was quickly attracted to the mental aspect of it. I like predicting what the attacking players will do and putting myself in the right position to stop them. As center back, I can see the entire field, so I can communicate with and lead the rest of the defense.
Q: What do you think has been the biggest key to your scoring success?
A: I think the key is that my teammates and I work really well together. We are a tight-knit group, and my teammates always provide me with good passes and create opportunities, and my coaches have designed corners that work to all of our strengths.
Q: Your team beat No. 4 seed Radnor Oct. 28 to qualify for the PIAA 2A state tournament. What is your sharpest memory of that game?
A: My sharpest memory from that game was right when the final whistle blew – all of my teammates rushed the field and so did the huge student section that came to support us. It was a very intense game and I was finally able to relax, enjoy the win, and appreciate everyone who had come out to cheer us on.
Q: What do you think is the strongest aspect of your game? What part of your game are you working on the most currently?
A: I think that the strongest aspect of my game is my mental approach to defense. I’m always trying to predict what the opposing team is going to do and then decide whether to attack or be patient. The skill that I am working on currently is my first touch and my passing placement. I’m working on not only quickly clearing the ball out of the circle or up the field, but more specifically on placing passes directly onto my teammates’ sticks or into open spaces that can kick start an offensive drive in our favor.
Q: What originally sparked your interest in field hockey? Who have been your biggest field hockey mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each one?
A: My interest in field hockey was originally sparked by my mom. Field hockey was a big part of her life growing up, and she played in college. She and two of my aunts coached me from 5th – 8th grade and introduced me to the game. She has been a big mentor throughout my career, and she taught me a lot about the importance of hard work and hustle. My high school coaches, Nicole Gerdes, Gretta Ehret and Leo Carlin, have also been big mentors for me. Coach Nicole, my head coach, has taught me to be more of a leader on the field and to be confident in my abilities.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.
A: I typically have coffee in the morning, pack my lunch, and eat breakfast. On game days, my teammates and I give each other high fives in the hallways to get each other pumped up. I eat a PB&J sandwich, pita chips with hummus, and an apple. I also try to drink a lot of water during the day to stay hydrated.
Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 34. Why did you pick this number?
A: I was a freshman when I picked it and freshmen pick numbers last so it was the only number left at the time. I ended up liking it though and it stuck!
Q: What is your favorite course at Merion Mercy? What do you think you might want to major in at college? Is there a career field that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: My favorite course at Merion is AP Biology. It is really challenging but also super interesting. I want to major in biology in college and potentially pursue a career in medicine.
Fun facts – Cate Voegele
Favorite book: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
Favorite author: Mary Higgins Clark.
Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds.
Favorite movie: Pitch Perfect.
Favorite athlete: Zach Ertz.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Praying by Kesha.
Favorite team: “Merion Mercy field hockey!”
Favorite place to visit: “The Jersey Shore.”
Favorite pre-game meal: PB & J.
Person I most admire, and why: “My parents, because they set the example for the type of person I want to be.”
Family members: parents George and Jane, older brother George (18) and younger brother Will (13).
(To be selected as the Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
