SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Mary Kathryn Fiebernitz
10/14/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
As a redshirt senior, often the question is not what can Mary Kathryn Fiebernitz do but what can't she do. Arguably one of the Spartans' most versatile players, the captain can be found carrying injured teammates off the field or calming players down in the heat of the moment. Along with being the last line of defense between the Spartan net and potent offenses, Fiebernitz is known for her offensive prowess, featured regularly in offensive set pieces where she is known for her deadly headers. Although regularly a stronghold at the centerback position, Fiebernitz has 11 goals and four assists to her credit in her career at MSU.
Rewind to Fiebernitz's early days, and she'll be the first to admit that she became addicted to the game at an early age.
"I just fell in love with the game at a young age when I was probably in preschool or kindergarten," she said. "I grew up around the game because my two older siblings, Jeanette and Phil, played soccer. I was always forced to go to their games and tournaments, but in the end I ended up falling in love with the sport."
Coached by her father Kevin in her early years and in high school, Fiebernitz transitioned to playing with the Michigan Hawks before arriving at the collegiate level. Soccer has been a huge part of their relationship from an early age.
"He travels to literally every game, and the dream of playing college soccer at MSU was not only my dream but his," Fieberniz said. "Soccer has been a huge part of our relationship from a early age. He coached me in my early club days and in high school. He gave me transportation back and fourth to Detroit for practice multiple times a week for years, let alone all over the country for games. I have learned a lot from him and the passion we both share for the game is truly amazing. To be able to share this dream with my dad has been a dream come true in itself."
What many don't know is that she was the place-kicker for her high school football team.
"At the time, I was really good friends with a lot of the football players," she laughs. "Just being athletic and whatnot, I went out in the spring with my good friend, Thad, and he was just holding the ball for me while I kicked them through the upright. One of the varsity coaches was there and he was like, `You gotta come out and try [place-kicking].'"
After the first game where the team struggled with field goals, Fiebernitz was awarded a place on the team.
"Next thing you know I'm wearing pads and a helmet," she said. "It was definitely a great experience because a lot of the guys were welcoming and good friends of mine. It was an easy transition to basically an all-male sport. At the time where I lived in a very small town, I was the first girl for Linden to kick."
Fiebernitz said that she felt extremely respected and welcomed by not only her team but her opponents in the Flint-Metro league.
Fiebernitz has overcome adversity to gain the respect on the field she now has been given. After learning in her freshman year that she would need reconstructive ankle surgery, Fiebernitz was emotionally distraught as she would opt to take a redshirt.
"I just remember going up those steps to my coaches' office and sitting down with my coaches and the athletic trainers, telling the coaches the news about the surgery and when it would happen and how long I'd be out," she said somberly. "I remember feeling a lot of emotions at the time."
Fiebernitz credited associate head coach Tammy Farnum with helping her get through the news about her injury.
"At the time I was obviously crying, and at the end of the meeting I was about to walk out, and I just remember Tammy giving me the biggest hug ever," Fiebernitz said, beaming while recounting the event. "To this day, there's nothing better than a Tammy hug. She just will wrap her arms around you and squeeze you until you need it. After that you feel a hundred times better."
The captain emphasized how much her relationship with Farnum has impacted not only her performance on the field but in life as well.
"I don't think I would be where I am now without Tammy," she said, getting serious for a moment. "The influence she has on people is truly amazing. The relationship we have established from my freshman year until now, and the growth that we both have made, I can't explain it. She's always there for me."
Another important role model for Fiebernitz is her mother, Mary, for whom she was named. Fiebernitz said her mother makes it out to nearly every game and credits her for calming her down, reminding her that she is where she is because of God.
One of 12 seniors on the team this year, Fiebernitz is a vocal leader about wanting to advance the program by making the Big Ten tournament this season. With five games left in the regular season, the team has a daunting task at hand, with two of the Big Ten's top teams awaiting them this week. The senior has not made an appearance at the conference tournament since the team traveled there in 2011.
"I think it's huge for just the overall program to get there because not only our class, but the classes under us are working extremely hard to solidify that spot in the Big Ten tournament," she said with a determined look in her eyes. "To be blunt, we're sick and tired of people underestimating us. We have a chip on our shoulder and that's what makes us competitors. We don't want to be looked at as being okay with losing in the postseason."
Fiebernitz is adamant about her team's goals and the desire to win is evident.
Having played 69 career games and starting 48, the impact Fiebernitz has made on Spartan soccer is undeniable. MSU head coach Tom Saxton has nothing but praise when he speaks of Fiebernitz.
"She's easily the toughest player I've ever coached," Saxton said. "She's just got that toughness, and plus she's a very good soccer player. She's all in for the team. She's a kid that if she stays healthy can play at the next level, and I'm so proud of her."
The type of determination of which Saxton speaks can be exemplified in this season's game against Michigan. When Fiebernitz collided with another defender, she left the field bloodied for the remainder of the first half. Cleaned up and unshaken, she returned to play a full 45 minutes to finish out the 3-0 shutout of her team's in-state rival.
Looking ahead to the future after the end of her collegiate career, Fiebernitz is contemplating either entering the NWSL professional draft or exploring the possibility of playing overseas.
"Since I'm looking at an overseas type deal, at that point it's not just about the soccer," Fiebernitz said. "I love the game too much to give it up. It's the experience and the different cultures. I think it's about life as well and seeing some different things that I've never seen before."
Regardless of what happens, the senior would love to eventually return to her roots as a coach at MSU.
"That's something we're waiting to discuss until after my final season to see what the options are," Fiebernitz said optimistically. "Whether I could stay here and be a volunteer, but it just depends. We've discussed the possibilities. It's definitely a dream of mine to end up back here at MSU whether it's coaching under Tom, Tammy, or whomever."
