One of the women's college top players ever, Amy Appelt reflects on her new life as a college grad and forging a career in the sport she loves.

Amy Appelt, last season's top women's lacrosse player, graduated from Virginia in May and is now on her own in the world. After losing in the NCAA Championship match to the improbable national champs Northwestern and then playing with the women's national team under Sue Stahl's tutelage during the summer, Appelt's lacrosse career is just taking off. Dana Czapnik spoke with Appelt late in 2005 to discuss her future plans and what she's up to now.

Dana :		What have you been up to since graduation? What are you doing for work? Where are you living?
Amy:		I am still working in the lacrosse world. I work with Crista Samaras and Bounce Entertainment- I am currently the Head coach of our XTeam (a national HS girls lacrosse club.) Our company Bounce travels the country doing clinics and growing the sport of lacrosse in non traditional areas. I am currently living at home in Garden City, New Jersey and work in New York City.
Dana:		How have you been getting your lacrosse jones on? Are you playing with a league, a team, practicing with old teammates, or just taking some time to relax, etc.?
Amy:		I would love to play more- I still play for the US team (we practice in January) otherwise I just play when I can.
Dana:		What was it like playing under Sue Stahl?
Amy:		Playing for Sue was different, I liked how she expected so much from all of us. It gave me a chance to just go out there and play my game and showcase what I have - I also got to play with some of the best players in the world and I was able to adjust my game to their skill.
Dana:		And... what was it like playing with teammates that were considerably older than you, including Kelly Amonte Hiller, Northwestern's head coach?
Amy:		I LOVE to play with players like Crista and Kelly, they have studied the game for so long and have in some forms perfected their role on the field, it was a great pleasure to play with them.
Dana:		You obviously got a lot of attention and press during your college years, has that dropped off or picked up since you left school? Are magazines, sports outlets and television programs clamoring for your thoughts and comments on women's college lacrosse?
Amy:		It has slowed down A LOT. The women's game is very focused in on college play. Hopefully with the growth of lacrosse the focus will be distributed all over the lacrosse world.
Dana:		What has been the biggest adjustment in your life since you left school?
Amy:		Not having friends around 24/7. I love how I was able to walk across the street to see some of my best friends. We used to call Charlottesville a fairy tail---now that I am gone I see that that was 100% true.
Dana:		What advice would you give women who are graduating from top lacrosse programs who are seeking serious lacrosse competition upon graduation?
Amy:		I would tell them to get involved in the US lacrosse system- for now that's the only way to keep in the game.

To submit something for publication, please contact our editor Dana Czapnik at danaczapnik@yahoo.com.