On Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014, Plymouth Whitemarsh seniors Rachel and Courtney Konowal were recognized at a special news conference for signing letters of intent to play filed hockey at the collegiate level.
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Rachel and Courtney Konowal helped lead Plymouth Whitemarsh to a 17-2 record overall and a perfect 14-0 mark in the Suburban One American Conference. The sisters were the top two scorers in the SOL. Rachel led PWHS in assists (23) and points (63), while Courtney was the Colonial’s top goal scorer (22) and was second in points (60).The sisters were both named First Team All-State by the Pennsylvania Field Hockey Coaches Association (PFHCA), and were also named to the PFHCA State All-Academic Team.
Rachel Konowal – Monmouth University (Field Hockey)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Monmouth, Kent State, Lafayette College
Reasons for selecting Monmouth: “Monmouth felt like the perfect place for me. The coaching staff and the players on the team made me feel at home. I knew after my first visit, I could definitely see myself going here. I couldn’t help but smile on the way home after my visit.”
What was the progression that led you to playing field hockey at the collegiate level? “I decided I wanted to play field hockey at the collegiate level when I began playing club field hockey in my sophomore year. I have been involved in other sports, and field hockey was the sport I felt the most passionate about.”
About Rachel:
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite movie: The Pursuit of Happiness
Favorite music: Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, The Temptations
Courtney Konowal – Kutztown University (Field Hockey)
Major: Sports Management
Final list of colleges: Kutztown, Monmouth, East Stroudsburg
Reasons for selecting college: “I wanted to be part of the new field hockey program at Kutztown. I think it is a perfect place for me to be my own individual. Plus, Kutztown has my major I want to study.”
What was the progression that led you to playing field hockey at the collegiate level? “I started thinking about playing field hockey in college when I was in tenth grade. I have been involved in multiple sports at a young age, and I couldn’t imagine myself not playing a sport after high school.”
About Courtney:
Favorite food: Sweet Potatoes
Favorite movie: Cinderella ManFavorite music: Beyoncé
Coach Marianne Paparone says: “Courtney and Rachel are two of the best players I have ever coached and the most successful in terms of accolades, scoring and so forth. One thing that’s really impressive about them is to see where they’ve come from ninth grade to now just in terms of their skill level, in terms of their game sense and in terms of their experiences. They have just gotten so much better, and it’s a tribute to their hard work, plus talent. They’re really motivated. They’ve been good for each other. They help each other work hard. They’re just kids that want to get better and will do anything to get better.
“They’re really kind of a coach’s dream because they’re so hard working, they have great attitudes, they’re so well liked and respected by their teammates and by their coaches. They’re very genuine kids too, and they literally thanked me after every practice, and I’ve never had a kid do that before. They’re very unique kids.
“To watch them have the season they had this year was so much fun as a coach. To watch them play so well and see their skill level and how far they’ve come, it was really a pleasure to be a part of. The two of them probably never missed a game in four years and rarely missed a practice. You’d have to hold them out for their own good at times.
“Rachel played defense, and as a freshman, you’re saying, ‘This kid is starting to play well.’ I had her in as a defensive back. We had a pretty good team when she was a freshman, and we won a round or two of districts, and then we had to play CB South at West in a night game. My kids were intimidated a little bit, and Rachel had the best game of anybody out there. I’m like, ‘This kid is the real deal.’ She played so well and was not intimidated by the situation at all.
“Courtney got some playing time as a freshman. She played a little jayvee, a little bit of varsity and got a varsity letter. Right now – and this isn’t just because they’re twins, but I wouldn’t say one is better than the other. They’re both really good, and I would have a hard time saying which is better. They both have their strengths. At one point, Rachel was better, but that’s not true anymore.
“Rachel played midfield for us, and Courtney played attack. That’s what separates them a little bit. Courtney – even though she plays attack – was also my best defender. If she gets beat, she recovers quicker than anybody out there. She’s just a great one-v-one defender. In terms of offense, she sees great space on the field, and she’s always a play or two ahead and can think ahead. She’s a good passer. She is probably not even 100 pounds soaking wet, but she’s always tough.
“Rachel is much more of a vocal leader, and she’s much more emotional. She played center mid, so she had a little more responsibility in terms of defense and offense. She loves a challenge and will accept a challenge, and so does Courtney, but Courtney is her own worst critic sometimes. They would be so excited for each other. When Courtney first started to have a lot of success, there was nobody happier for her than Rachel. It’s really a neat situation.
“Courtney is much quieter. Rachel is definitely the one that takes us out of the timeout, she’s definitely the one that will pull a kid aside and talk to them for a second. Courtney’s not like that, but she’s very much a leader by example. She just is a hard worker. She goes as hard as she can all the time.
“Both of them started to play club hockey, and just playing all the time made a big difference. I think their confidence level grew because of the experiences they gained both at the high school and on the club level. Just the success that came to them – they started to realize they were just as good as other people, and just their hard work - they’re very talented kids, but nobody will outwork them. They’re the first ones to practice, they’re the last ones off the field. They put a lot of time in outside the season.
“They’re terrific kids. They’re always in a good mood, they’re always working hard. There’s not one ounce of drama ever. They’re very sincere. They’re not the kind of teenagers who are always on their cell phones and have their ear buds in. They like to have a conversation, they like to smile, and they like to laugh. They’re very grounded and very well supported by their families. They’re such good role models. They are very unselfish. A lot of kids will say, ‘team first,’ but you watch them a little bit- they are truly team first. They are great kids.
“I think they’re both going to have a good career at the next level. I think they haven’t peaked. You see some kids, and you think that’s as good as they’re going to get. I have seen them get so much better every year.”
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