The first few months of college can be difficult for incoming freshmen. They have to adjust to life without their parents; classes are more challenging; and of course there’s the dread of no longer having someone to do the laundry.

As if that’s not enough, the freshmen on the Muhlenberg field hockey and volleyball teams have also added “helping turn a team around” to their already long list of new responsibilities.

Both teams struggled through down seasons last fall but have shown great improvement this year. Field hockey has already won more games than all of last season, while volleyball has surpassed its Centennial Conference win total from a year ago with half of the conference season still to play.

And a big reason for both resurgences has been the play of freshmen.

For field hockey, freshmen have accounted for 10 of 16 goals, led by Kayleigh Thies (right) who is first on the team with seven goals and 17 points. She is also the top scoring freshman in the conference. Three other freshmen, Heather Porrini (two goals), Christine Germaske (one goal, one assist) and Allison Califano (one assist)  have also scored this fall, and keeper Sierra Lenker made six saves to get the win in her first career start against Widener.

But more than just stats, the newcomers have helped change the mentality of the team, according to junior Kristen Dornenburg.

The difference was evident from the first day of practice, she said, adding the 14-member freshman class brought a strong sense of aggressiveness that has pushed older players for their starting spots. The result has been a team that plays with more fire both during practice and in games.

“You could tell we were a lot more competitive going against each other when preseason started,” Dornenburg said. “We’re all fighting for positions every day in practice, and if we’re not competitive, we’re not going to play. So I think that’s what you see the freshmen have brought. Everyone has to fight for their position, and that’s raised our level as a team.”

For volleyball, five rookies see regular time. Alyssa Schell leads the team with 170 digs, while Nikki Dickson is tied for the lead with 21 aces and is second with 172 assists. Holly Hynson (left) ranks third on the squad with 96 kills, and Julia Elkin (80 digs, nine aces) and Lindsey Gambocurta (50 kills, nine aces) have also been solid contributors.

The youthful influx has also given some of the veteran players a chance to play their normal positions, which didn’t always happen last fall when the Mules were hampered by injuries and forced to move players around in order to field a full lineup.

“Instead of trying to have everyone play somewhere just so we can have six people on the court, there’s people specialized in every spot playing their natural positions,” senior Brooke McQueen said. “Now that we have people with the talent at the right spots the court, we’re a lot more comfortable and playing a lot better. That has been one of the big differences this year.”

The freshmen have also been welcomed additions outside of games and practices, as well. Volleyball senior Jackie Price said the team has the feel of a family, with the three seniors taking the freshmen under their wings.

But at the same time, the newcomers have brought a sense of fun to the team, which includes plenty of singing, dancing and joking on the way to and from games, and at dinner after practice.

And the way this season has gone, there may be even more wins for both teams to sing and dance about before the year is done.

“They’re just as goofy and crazy as the rest of us,” Price said with a laugh. “We’re welcoming them with open arms, and they’ve seriously made a great impact on our team this year.

“We’re working so well together; everyone knows their role. They have been a great addition to the team, and I am just so proud of them all.”