Sussex Tech field hockey head coach Nancy Tribbett has been in charge of teams for over two decades.
During that run, most of which has come as the Lady Ravens’ leader, she has experienced several things.
Until the upcoming 2010 campaign begins, however, Tribbett still has at least one remaining experience; playing a game as the defending state champion.
“It means we are just going to have to work even harder,” Tribbett said of being the title holder. “We’ll have an ‘X’ on our back and be the team everybody wants to beat.
“That’s OK though,” she continued, “it’s what we want because it means we’ve accomplished something.”
Tech, which lost just once a season ago en route to the title, is looking to accomplish the same thing again.
And, with nearly all of its players from last year’s team back, Tech looks as if it could certainly repeat the run.
“Our goal is to win the Henlopen Conference and another state title,” senior Taylor Kieffer said. “That’s what keeps us motivated.”
Not all of the Ravens have returned, however, and the squad has some holes to fill in the backfield.
Included on the gone to graduation is former keeper Caitlin Stone, who pitched 10 straight shutouts leading up to Tech’s 3-2 finals win over Tower Hill.
“Defensively we have to replace some great players,” Tribbett said. “That means some girls are going to have to step up.
“Some will be returning starters who were used to playing other positions, and others will be new starters.”
Offense, however, should not be much of an issue for the Ravens.
The club returns several All-Conference and All-State midfield and forward players, including Maxine Fluharty, who is seemingly in every box score.
“On offense, we should have a lot of speed and focus,” Tribbett said of the Tech attack. “We’ll still have a few new people out there though, so we have to jell.”
The jelling, hopefully, will be complete by the time the Ravens take the field on September 14 at Woodbridge.
If not, then it must be complete on September 23 when Tech welcomes Cape Henlopen to its house.
Cape was the only squad to beat the Ravens last year, although Tech did earn its revenge with a 1-0 win over the Lady Vikings in the semifinals.
“Cape’s always a game both teams are up for,” Tribbett said. “They’ll be looking to get some revenge, I’m sure.”
