Dedication, Effort, and a Positive Outlook: Varsity Field Hockey’s Remarkable Rise

Tabor's varsity field hockey team capped off a standout season this fall, finishing with a 12–5 record, scoring an impressive 65 goals, and earning their slot in the NEPSAC Class A Tournament Quarterfinals. For Head Coach Whitney Dolan, the team’s success was the result of intentional culture-building, a unified work ethic, and a roster of student-athletes committed to elevating both themselves and each other.

When asked what defines a strong team, Dolan doesn't hesitate to highlight the team culture. “Our players want to be a part of Tabor field hockey,” she reflects, noting that every player shared a willingness to put the team first, try a new position, embrace new skills, or push themselves to improve for the good of the group.

This sense of collective responsibility is something the players themselves echo. Captain Mavis O’Neill ’26 speaks to the team’s resilience, especially in how they responded to adversity. “We had such a great season not only looking at our wins but our losses too,” she says. “As a team we seemed to take each loss personally and we came back at practice ready for the next game. We never dwelled on what we should’ve done last game; we just pushed to excel at what we can do in the games to come.” That mindset, she notes, helped open the door to the eighth seed in the Class A tournament. “Whether it was dialing in on a drill or creating relationships with each other, every member of our team gave it their everything and it showed on the field. We were a special team because we always looked on the bright side.”

From the start of the season, the coaches set their sights towards a renewed focus on commitment, positivity, and hard work. That effort paid off. “The players’ physical improvement and their enjoyment of being out on the turf with each other every day were clear,” Dolan says. “We’ve continued this tradition of a positive team atmosphere. The players love to compete, learn, ask questions, and have fun.”

Captain Katie Jackivicz ’26 also points to connection and camaraderie as the defining ingredients in this year's successes. “I think what contributed this year was our team culture. That over everything else is the reason we had such an amazing season,” she explains. “That is something Ashley, Mavis, and I have been working to build since our freshman year, so it was really nice to see our hard work pay off both in our games and also how we view our team. We made it to the play-offs in our freshman year, so it felt amazing making it back there for our final season.”

Dolan describes her coaching style as “student-athlete centered.” While strong skills and knowledge of the game matter, she prioritizes athletes who are eager to learn, work hard, and support their teammates. “I can teach anyone to be good with their stick,” she explains, “but the intensity and effort it takes to compete is what I look for.”

Dolan emphasizes supporting players academically, personally, and across their entire Tabor experience. She also works closely with individuals on their own goals, whether that means mastering a challenging skill or working toward playing at the collegiate level. Practices are built around spirited competition, which helps players sharpen their skills while building trust. Those competitive moments raise the energy and intensity that later translate to game-day success.

Looking ahead to the future, Dolan is excited for new talent and eager to see her current players step into bigger roles next year. “We want to continue building off this year’s success in terms of our ball movement, our goal scoring, and our wins,” she says.

It's clear that Tabor field hockey is a program on a steady rise, guided by student-athletes and coaches who believe deeply in what they are building together.