Like most fall sport senior athletes, Courtney DeAngelis’ career ended recently. Unlike most athletes, she got to play in college with her twin sister Brittany for four years and her younger sister Ashley for two years. Below she shares her experience, from the beginning to the end … and beyond.

Even though I’m only nine days in to my life as a retired athlete, I admit that I’m already feeling nostalgic. 

My athletic career began in the third grade, when I played in my town’s recreational coed basketball league. Brittany decided to follow suit and joined me in the basketball league in

Courtney

the fourth grade, which was also the year I entered my town’s softball league.  Coincidently, Britt participated in the same softball league as me in the fifth grade … notice a pattern here?

But the pattern ceased when sixth grade rolled around, and we made a joint decision to try out for our middle school’s field hockey team. Britt and I were ecstatic when we found out that we made the cut, and we were equally excited when Ashley tried out and made the team two years later. 

Throughout high school, Britt and I both played for our school’s field hockey, basketball and lacrosse teams – which kept us busy, to say the least. Though I liked the change of pace that came with starting a new sport with each passing season, I was always a bit disappointed when fall ended, as it meant that my favorite sport was over.

My passion for the game only increased as time went on, and I think this was largely due to the fact that it was the one sport where all three of us played together. And when Ashley

Brittany

was a freshman in high school and joined our varsity team, we literally played together, as the three starting midfielders. We had great chemistry on the field, and I think our most memorable game from that season was one when all three of us had assists. 

We shared many more great memories the following year as well, when our program went 14-5 and made it to the semifinals in both the county and state tournaments. I cried like a baby during my last few minutes on the field of our final game, because I assumed it was the last time that I’d ever get to play with both of my sisters.

It goes without saying that I was not only thrilled when Britt and I were recruited to Muhlenberg to continue our field hockey careers, but when Ashley made her decision to join us on the field once again. I’ll never forget our game against McDaniel last year, because not only was it our first win of the season, but it was also the first game when all three of us played together on the field; it was definitely a proud moment for me, and for our family.      

Of course it saddens me to think that I’ll never put on my Muhlenberg jersey and step on the turf to play with my best friends again, but it upsets me more to think that I’ll never put on my Muhlenberg jersey and step on the turf to play with my sisters again. Even so, I feel fairly confident in claiming that few people can say they played a collegiate sport with two

Ashley

of their siblings, and it makes me feel so fortunate to have spent these years at the ‘Berg playing the game I love with them.

It’s truly the definition of a bittersweet ending, but I know it’s not completely over yet. While I don’t necessarily plan on doing the timed miles and summer workouts with Ash, she certainly won’t have to drag me to the turf to hit around with her. Britt and I will continue to support her, and I’m incredibly happy that I still have a couple more years to watch her play – even if it will now be from the stands.