When Maryland field hockey’s Bibi Donraadt first arrived in College Park from the Netherlands in August, she had trouble understanding what players and coaches were saying. She relied on the other Dutch players to translate for her as she became comfortable with the language.
Donraadt also had to adjust to to the faster pace of U.S. field hockey. The freshman learned the team’s offensive press and improved her ball pressure skills.
Then, last weekend, coach Missy Meharg threw Donraadt yet another curveball. She moved from forward to midfield for the Terrapin Invitational, which forced her to pick up a whole new set of defensive skills.
But Donraadt took the switch in stride, scoring Maryland’s second goal in a 5-3 win over then-No. 12 Delaware on Saturday.
“All of the sudden, Missy put her in the game as mid, and it was a game-changer,” midfielder Kyler Greenwalt said. “She’s just so fluid in the midfield and receives the ball and just gives it and does all these give-and-go’s just naturally.”
Donraadt has started only once, but she’s seen significant action in every game off the bench. Her four goals rank second on the team, and she’s notched two game-winners.
Donraadt said her teammates and coaches not only helped her adjust to the position, but have also been a big support system for her thousands of miles away from home. Luckily for her, the two other Dutch players on the team, Bodil Keus and Sophie Giezeman, have been happy to lend a hand.
“Sometimes, you just miss home, and it’s so good to talk to another Dutchie who knows how different the American culture is,” Donraadt said. “And also the other international [players] … know how it is to just move away from your family.”
After games, other players’ parents talk frequently with Donraadt and give her hugs, since her own parents can’t be there. She said that support makes her forget about missing home.
Given how well Donraadt has played while getting her bearings in a new country, system and position, Meharg is excited for what the future holds for her.
“She is really growing, she is able to give us some depth in the midfield and she’s a super integrated woman,” Meharg said. “I’m just waiting for her to just keep growing and keep having fun and figuring how her culture and her hockey fits into ours.”
