Get to know a few of the 2026 Longstreth Senior All Americans before they take the field! We caught up with some of this year's athletes and asked them five questions to learn more about who they are.
- What has been most important in helping you reach this level?
- How do you contribute to your team beyond your performance?
- What does being a dependable player mean to you?
- What is one area of your game you are still working to improve?
- What’s your favorite part of being on a team?
Here’s how they responded:
Adie Minnella
I think a very strong support system in my family, friends, and teams was the most important part of reaching this level. Being able to know I had people in my corner was what made me feel confident in my play and making risks.
I believe I am a very strong leader, where I can be a different type of captain-like person in different scenarios. I love to go out after practice to eat or just drive around with my teammates to connect on a level outside of field hockey!
Being a dependable player to me means being able to support my team and understanding what it takes to play competitively.
I am still working to improve my back space shots and moving as a unit in the forward line for presses consistently!
I love the community aspect of it! I really admire how I could show up to the locker room or practice no matter what kind of day I’ve had and my teammates will make it better.
Monica Piccioli
My parents have been most important in helping me reach this level.
I contribute to my team beyond my performance by having a positive attitude and being a supportive teammate.
Being a dependable player means that they show up for their teammates, and that they are leaders.
One area of my game I am still working to improve is my aerials.
My favorite part of being on a team is bonding with the girls and having a support system.
Anna Riesser
What has been most important in helping you reach this level? The most important factor in helping me reach this level has been consistency and commitment. Playing for nine years has taught me that improvement comes from showing up every day ready to work, even when it’s challenging. The support from my coaches, teammates, and my experience with both Trinity Episcopal School and Relentless Field Hockey have also pushed me to grow and compete at a higher level.
How do you contribute to your team beyond your performance? Beyond my performance on the field, I contribute by being a positive and supportive teammate. I communicate, encourage others, and help maintain a strong team culture. I try to lead by example through my work ethic and attitude, and I’m always willing to step up, whether that means supporting a teammate or doing the little things that help the team be successful.
What does being a dependable player mean to you? Being a dependable player means that my coaches and teammates can trust me to give consistent effort, stay disciplined, and be prepared in every situation. To me, it’s about showing up ready to compete, staying focused, and doing my job no matter the circumstances. Dependability also means being someone the team can count on both on and off the field.
What is one area of your game you are still working to improve? One area I’m continuing to work on is my speed of play. I think maybe working to make faster decisions and reacting quicker to pressure that is not directly on me, but near me. I’m focused on improving this by putting in extra work during practice and staying intentional about developing that part of my game.
What’s your favorite part of being on a team? My favorite part of being on a team is the connection and trust you build with your teammates. There’s something special about working toward a common goal, supporting each other, and competing together. The relationships and memories you create along the way are just as meaningful as the success on the field.
Eliana Degennero
The most important thing to helping me reach the next level is definitely consistency and staying focused and on top of all the training and preparation I need to do for field hockey.
I think I contribute to my team beyond performance with an energy that stays optimistic and excited to play in both good and bad situations.
Being a dependable player to me means giving my full effort and attention to things that’s my teammates and coach’s call on me to do or rely on me to do.
One area that I still work on improving is performing under pressure meaning I’m focused on the right things at the right times. I think I will improve of this in my next year entering college.
My favorite thing about being on a team is having unity to reach a common goal. I like when everyone can put their heads together to focus on one thing that that team needs to do, being collaborative and unique.
