Versatility in players is hard to find. In an era of specialization and position-oriented training, gone are the days of the multi-tooled athlete who can play any position in the field.
There are, however, some exceptions to the rule, with senior forward Kate Seibert being one of them. Seibert played her first three years at Duke as a defender, leading the Blue Devil's solid defense and netting numerous goals from the back. As one of the top scoring defenders in the nation, the Downington, Pa. native earned third-team All-American honors her sophomore year.
But with the addition of freshmen defenders Kelly Hathorn and Kelly McCann this season, Seibert has been given the chance to move up to forward to try and increase her goal scoring opportunities and foster her acute playmaking abilities.
"It's fun, it's a bit different mostly just because I'm used to playing with people in the back," Seibert said. "Going up top I have to get acclimated to different people's style of play. But I have played up top many times before college."
Seibert's experience at all positions on the field is a trait she says has contributed to her great versatility as a player.
"I've always been moving around a lot," Seibert said. "This is the first year I've been totally out of the back, though."
At her new position, the tri-captain has netted two goals-both were game-winners-and has added another three assists. She currently stands tied for third on the team with seven points.
In addition to dealing with the challenges of playing a new position, Seibert has had to overcome a preseason ankle injury, which required surgery and kept her out of the first five games of the season. But a focused Seibert came back from her injury even stronger, training herself physically and mentally for her senior year as a Blue Devil.
"I came in this year being the most fit I've ever been, which really helped my recovery," she said. "After the last two seasons I've had surgery, so I've become acclimated to it."
Seibert will be a strong pillar in the foundation of the Blue Devil's offense and has been providing veteran leadership in the team's quest to make it to this year's College Cup.
Seibert spent the summer of the 2004 season playing at the U-21 National Team training camp, gaining valuable experience competing with players at an international level.
With the team ranked sixth in the nation, the Blue Devils have a chance to go deep into postseason play. But the senior realizes that even with a lengthy playoff run, her ride will soon come to an end.
Seibert is a history major and is obtaining a secondary teaching license in social studies. Although she is considering a career in education, Seibert has not made any commitments yet.
"I just got my high school teaching certificate for social studies," she said. "Hopefully I'll be teaching high school. Maybe I'll be playing soccer if something works out. I'm not really sure at this point."
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