More than teammates

The sports world is full of siblings who play against each other at some point during their careers. Take, for example, Peyton and Eli Manning in the NFL, or Venus and Serena Williams in tennis. They've all faced each other.

It's not very often that you hear of siblings who actually get to play on the same team together at a high level of competition. EMU's field hockey team has one such pair of sisters who does get to play and grow together during the 2005 season.

Jonalyn Denlinger is a senior from Lancaster, Pa., and her sister Julie is a rookie on the collegiate athletic scene this year. Having played together four years ago, both girls were anxious to get to play together again this year. The two sisters pointed to each other as a big reason why they wanted to play this year. Jonalyn said, "We have both grown up a lot and formed our own identities. Because of this growth, we are able to play better together, as well as support each other." Julie agreed with her older sister, saying, "I had a chance to mature in my playing...It has been great reconnecting with each other after having been apart for several years."

Being a freshman on a varsity team can be very intimidating. Julie has made a great transition to the collegiate level and credits her older sister with helping her along the way. "It was nice to have someone who understands where I came from, who I am and what I am all about." As the elder sister, Jonalyn said she is very protective of Julie, but knows that Julie is a strong woman, so she doesn't have to worry too much.

Though the Denlinger sisters say they have developed their own identities and style of play, they each described the other in the same way. Julie said, "[Jonalyn's] energy, intensity, and passion is contagious and set a fire under me." Julie has been watching her sister play and is following in her footsteps, as was evidenced when Jonalyn said that Julie "has brought with her so much passion and energy that it encourages me so much."

Any athlete will tell you that during the season you become very close to your teammates. Jonalyn and Julie are no exception, and they have been able to catch up on lost time together. Jonalyn feels fortunate to play her last season with her younger sister. "We have both grown up, and through that have been a huge support and friendship for each other," she said. Julie acknowledged that she has a unique opportunity in playing on the same team as her sister and is cherishing every moment of the season.

Not only have the sisters grown together, they have also helped EMU's field hockey team to a record of 8-4-0 overall and 3-2-0 in the ODAC. The biggest game for the sisters was against Bridgewater on Sept. 30. In the game Jonalyn scored two goals and added one assist, while Julie had one goal and two assists. The notable aspect of those statistics is the fact that each sister scored a goal off of an assist from the other.

Both Jonalyn and Julie realize that their final season together will come to an end in the next few weeks. For Jonalyn, nostalgia is beginning to set in as she realizes this is her final season of competitive field hockey. Julie said that she is "thankful for every day [the sisters] have together and will really miss [Jonalyn's] presence and leadership in the future." She has had a great role model to look up to in her older sister and wants to make their time together as special as possible right now.