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Photo by: Duke Athletics
Signee Spotlight: Abby Spear
2/24/2022 1:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
Duke field hockey head coach Pam Bustin is excited to announce the 2022 Blue Devil freshman class this spring. We've profiled much of the class and the latest Blue Devil we must introduce to you is goalkeeper Abby Spear.
"I think that every time I have seen Abby in the past three years…she has been wearing some sort of Duke gear," said Bustin. "She has been a true Blue Devil for as long as I have known her, and now it is official: she is a member of the Duke Field Hockey team! Abby brings that uniquely profound balance of curiosity and pursuit of excellence to her academic career as well as her athletic endeavors. She is passionate about both. And as a goalkeeper, her passion to keep the ball out of the goal cage is intense. Her quickness and athleticism follow the long line of incredible goalkeepers from before that have donned the "D" in the cage. She loves the game and cares deeply for her teammates, whether it is Cox High School, TOCOYO Club, or Duke True! We are thrilled to welcome Abby and look forward to helping her continue to grow and develop."
A 2021 NFHCA First Team All-American and four-year letterwinner for Taylor Rountree at Frank W. Cox High School, Spear excelled in the cage throughout her scholastic career. In 2021 helped lead Cox to four straight regional and state championships en route to garnering countless awards her senior season. As a senior did not give up a single goal in either the region or state tournament and only allowed one score the entire season.
Her success in the cage garnered her All-Tidewater Player of the Year, All-Tidewater, all-region, all-state, All-South and All-Mid-Atlantic Region first team accolades.
While her senior year campaign was arguably her most successful, Spear was exceptional in 2019 in giving up just six goals all season, only three of which came against teams in the state of Virginia. With her as the anchor to the backline, Cox finished the year with a 20-1 record and another state title.
Spear played her club hockey for TCOYO and helped lead the program to multiple national club championships. She was an integral part of the teams that won the U14 and U16 titles in 2018 and the U16 crown in 2019. TCOYO took third at the NCC Region 8 championship and the 2021 National Indoor Tournament.
Spear, tabbed a top-50 player in the Class of 2022 by Max Field Hockey, has been active with USA Field Hockey, training with the U16 National Team and invited to the 2019 USA Stars and Stripes Elite game.
Spear also is a four-year letterwinner for the Cox indoor and outdoor track and field teams, Spear was voted the team's Most Valuable Thrower.
Academically, she has stood out just as much in the classroom as the school's Salutatorian and a member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society.
Get to Know More about Abby
Best field hockey memory: My Freshman Year State Final Game. I was on the sideline of a 20°, Double-Overtime game screaming my heart out alongside girls who I had and still do view as closer than sisters when we scored with 20 seconds left. We all screamed and ran onto the field, and even though I wasn't the one on the field, I have never felt prouder.
Favorite athlete: Maddie Hinch – the goalkeeper for Tilburg HC and the England and Great Britain national teams.
When did you start playing field hockey and why?
As a kid I must've tried a million different sports, but none of them really clicked. That's what was so special about field hockey. Because the moment I held a stick for the first time I just genuinely knew it fit. And even though that stick has transformed into a helmet and pads over the years, that sense of finally finding my place never really faded.
What has been your favorite subject in school?
I absolutely love History.
Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals?
My mom and I would turn on 2000s pop as loud as it goes and dance in the car before big games or tournaments. It has lasted nearly a decade and it includes some of my fondest memories.
Who has had the biggest impact on your life and why?
Absolutely my parents. My Dad taught me nearly everything I know about compassion and patience, and never failed to display either characteristic. My Mom instilled the ideals of hard work and dedication that her father had instilled into her, and they have never done me wrong.
Hobbies: Reading, doodling, comic books, running, watching Netflix, listening to Slam Poetry, finding really good music and gardening
If you were to play another sport, what would it be?
It's hard to see myself truly dedicating myself to anything else, but I do love to run so probably track. Running has always been a way to relax and destress so if I had to do any other sport, that'd be it.
Interesting fact about yourself/hidden talent: I really enjoy taking care of things, especially plants. I have about 30 different cacti, bonsai and jade plants in my room alone. In the summer I could spend hours outside alongside my mom just weeding and planting new seeds.
You win a chance to host a small concert with 5-10 of your closest friends, what musical artist do you ask to perform?
The Lumineers
#GoDuke
"I think that every time I have seen Abby in the past three years…she has been wearing some sort of Duke gear," said Bustin. "She has been a true Blue Devil for as long as I have known her, and now it is official: she is a member of the Duke Field Hockey team! Abby brings that uniquely profound balance of curiosity and pursuit of excellence to her academic career as well as her athletic endeavors. She is passionate about both. And as a goalkeeper, her passion to keep the ball out of the goal cage is intense. Her quickness and athleticism follow the long line of incredible goalkeepers from before that have donned the "D" in the cage. She loves the game and cares deeply for her teammates, whether it is Cox High School, TOCOYO Club, or Duke True! We are thrilled to welcome Abby and look forward to helping her continue to grow and develop."
A 2021 NFHCA First Team All-American and four-year letterwinner for Taylor Rountree at Frank W. Cox High School, Spear excelled in the cage throughout her scholastic career. In 2021 helped lead Cox to four straight regional and state championships en route to garnering countless awards her senior season. As a senior did not give up a single goal in either the region or state tournament and only allowed one score the entire season.
Her success in the cage garnered her All-Tidewater Player of the Year, All-Tidewater, all-region, all-state, All-South and All-Mid-Atlantic Region first team accolades.
While her senior year campaign was arguably her most successful, Spear was exceptional in 2019 in giving up just six goals all season, only three of which came against teams in the state of Virginia. With her as the anchor to the backline, Cox finished the year with a 20-1 record and another state title.
Spear played her club hockey for TCOYO and helped lead the program to multiple national club championships. She was an integral part of the teams that won the U14 and U16 titles in 2018 and the U16 crown in 2019. TCOYO took third at the NCC Region 8 championship and the 2021 National Indoor Tournament.
Spear, tabbed a top-50 player in the Class of 2022 by Max Field Hockey, has been active with USA Field Hockey, training with the U16 National Team and invited to the 2019 USA Stars and Stripes Elite game.
Spear also is a four-year letterwinner for the Cox indoor and outdoor track and field teams, Spear was voted the team's Most Valuable Thrower.
Academically, she has stood out just as much in the classroom as the school's Salutatorian and a member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society.
Get to Know More about Abby
Best field hockey memory: My Freshman Year State Final Game. I was on the sideline of a 20°, Double-Overtime game screaming my heart out alongside girls who I had and still do view as closer than sisters when we scored with 20 seconds left. We all screamed and ran onto the field, and even though I wasn't the one on the field, I have never felt prouder.
Favorite athlete: Maddie Hinch – the goalkeeper for Tilburg HC and the England and Great Britain national teams.
When did you start playing field hockey and why?
As a kid I must've tried a million different sports, but none of them really clicked. That's what was so special about field hockey. Because the moment I held a stick for the first time I just genuinely knew it fit. And even though that stick has transformed into a helmet and pads over the years, that sense of finally finding my place never really faded.
What has been your favorite subject in school?
I absolutely love History.
Do you have any pregame superstitions or rituals?
My mom and I would turn on 2000s pop as loud as it goes and dance in the car before big games or tournaments. It has lasted nearly a decade and it includes some of my fondest memories.
Who has had the biggest impact on your life and why?
Absolutely my parents. My Dad taught me nearly everything I know about compassion and patience, and never failed to display either characteristic. My Mom instilled the ideals of hard work and dedication that her father had instilled into her, and they have never done me wrong.
Hobbies: Reading, doodling, comic books, running, watching Netflix, listening to Slam Poetry, finding really good music and gardening
If you were to play another sport, what would it be?
It's hard to see myself truly dedicating myself to anything else, but I do love to run so probably track. Running has always been a way to relax and destress so if I had to do any other sport, that'd be it.
Interesting fact about yourself/hidden talent: I really enjoy taking care of things, especially plants. I have about 30 different cacti, bonsai and jade plants in my room alone. In the summer I could spend hours outside alongside my mom just weeding and planting new seeds.
You win a chance to host a small concert with 5-10 of your closest friends, what musical artist do you ask to perform?
The Lumineers
#GoDuke
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