Field Hockey Freshman Floor Rijpma.
10/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 24, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State freshman Floor Rijpma discusses the transition to the U.S. from the Netherlands, and making an impact on the field.
What brought you to MSU?
"I ended up at Michigan State because of the connection with Annebet Beerman and Veerle Goudswaard. They played at my old club, and I actually didn't know what to do after high school, so I was a exploring around. Then I talked to Annebet and I got really interested."
Did coming to Michigan State last spring help you with your transition from the Netherlands?
"It helped so much because my English is getting so much better. When I got here it was absolutely terrible, so I wasn't really myself and I couldn't really just be normal because I had to adapt to so many things around me. Now I'm just really ready for it."
What has been the most difficult part of the transition?
"The language has to do with everything. It has to do with getting to know people, being able to communicate with your teammates on the field. It's really a crucial thing to know."
What do you think has allowed you to emerge as one of the team's leading scorers?
"I always want to score a goal. Today I'm upset that I didn't put it on goal because I just have to hit it in there and be like, `go away.' It's a pity, but the other times I've scored I'm really happy about it, and I'm going to build it up so that I can score more for the team."
Does having a Dutch coach help with the transition?
"I think Rolf is a great coach, and I don't really know the other coaches, so I can't really say anything else. But because he's Dutch we might have something in common that makes him more relatable."
Who has been the most helpful for you this season?
"There are a lot, defense-wise and offense-wise. I don't think there is a particular person, but I can really play nice with A.P. [Ashley Pernicano] and with Sophie [Anne-Sophie van Rijswijk]. I have good communication with Amy [Schneider] on the back, she tells me what to do, so that's really helpful. In particular I think that a team needs to work with each other and help each other out on the field."
What are your personal goals for this season?
"Scoring more goals - I have to. I'm going to work hard to do that, and help out the team with trying to stay as a team. We have to help each other out with communication, and stay positive."
Outside of field hockey, what do you enjoy about campus and Michigan?
"Actually, everything. I just love to play field hockey--that's just my thing, it has been for all my life. The team has really helped me a lot, they're my friends outside of field hockey. I just like getting to know all the people and the other cultures. Every day is a new day, you get to know different stuff."
