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AUGUST 2017 ◆ 27 BY SEAN LABAR V IRGINIA FOURTH-YEAR MID- fielder Tara Vittese has vivid memories of this past year's ACC Tournament — where she played a major role in helping her team win the conference crown for the first time in program history. In the second game against Wake For- est — a familiar foe who was entering the contest riding momentum from a signature win over Syracuse — everything went quiet. It was just Vittese with glimpses of her teammates beaming in her peripheral vision. She dribbled through a few defenders and waited until the time was right to send a pass to her teammate. The pass went through and led to the game-tying goal. UVA went on to topple Wake Forest 3-2 in overtime, and ultimately claimed the ACC title with a 4-2 victory over North Carolina. "I don't want this to sound the wrong way, but I realized how my game could help ev- eryone around me and help us thrive as a team," Vittese said. "I felt a confidence during the ACC Tournament that I knew I had, but it hasn't always been at the forefront. "I'll remember every play from that game against Wake forever." Most would assume the ris- ing fourth-year — who earned her second straight Longstreth/NFHCA Player of the Year award at the conclusion of the season — would always consciously understand she was one of the best players on the field and that her team's success would largely ride on her individual accomplishments. But Vittese — who has played for the United States national team throughout sev- eral points in her life — remains humble. "I know it sounds cliché, but none of this could have happened without my incredible coaching and teammates," she said. "They make it easier for me to do my job. Then there are my sisters who constantly sup- port me. It takes a whole group, not just an individual." The New Jersey native closed out her third season with 15 goals and 11 assists for 41 points and ranked fourth in the ACC with 1.71 points per game. She was tabbed the South Region Player of the Year and earned ACC Player of the Year honors in 2016. She has career totals of 47 goals and 37 assists through her first three seasons. Vittese was one of the top players on her high school team, but never could have envisioned all of the accolades she's earned during her collegiate career so far. "I always knew I was good, but consid- ered myself the kind of player who helped give opportunities to my teammates," she said. "I didn't win a ton of awards in high school because I rarely ever had the best stats or most goals." That's why the Longstreth/NFHCA award means the most. "That's decided by the coaches," Vittese said. "It means they can see how beneficial I've been for my team even if I'm not light- ing up the stat sheet. I'm honored." The other assumption when it comes to elite college athletes is there is very little ad- versity that stands between them and the ul- timate prize. For Vittese, though, there have been times where balancing field hockey and the academic rigors of UVA have cre- ated nearly impossible decisions. Last fall, she had an op- portunity to play with the United States U21 team in Chile and was committed to taking the trip. But her grades weren't where she wanted them and finals were rapidly approaching. "I had to make a tough choice," Vittese said. "People forget the most important part of being a student-athlete is actually being a student, and the workload at UVA is cer- tainly challenging. It was hard for me. I felt like I let my teammates down by not going, but look- ing back now I'm confident it was the right decision." As the summer dwindles, Vittese prepares for her new role as a focal point on next year's Virginia squad. It's a young group — one that will be without the nine key fourth-years who have now moved on to greener pastures. They were vocal and forthright. They were on a mission and weren't going to let anything slow them down or stand in their way. Vittese admits there will be a learning curve when trying to replicate this year's success — while still chasing a national title — but she's ready for her new respon- sibility. "It won't be easy," Vittese said. "We have a ton of young players and we are all going to have to buy in to similar goals at the first practice. We can do it — but it will be a lot of work." As each day passes, Vittese will get more comfortable letting her humble walls down. Next year's team will be her team. And just like the Wake Forest game from last season, the team will be aided by her key contributions. ◆ "I always knew I was good, but considered myself the kind of player who helped give opportunities to my teammates." VITTESE Vittese has been named the Long- streth/National Field Hockey Coaches Association National Player of the Year each of the past two seasons. PHOTO BY MATT RILEY/COURTESY UVA