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By STEVE SEMBRAT steves@leader.net
Thursday, January 27, 2000 Page: 1B
Wyoming Valley West star Haley Dervinis and Temple University coach Lauren
Fuchs think alike when it comes to field hockey.
“Lauren’s philosophy is exactly the same as mine,” Dervinis said.
“Field hockey should be fun, but you should have a life outside of it.”
That’s a big reason why Dervinis made a verbal commitment to attend Temple,
located in Philadelphia, on an athletic scholarship. She can put her decision
in writing Wednesday, the first day athletes from fall sports can sign a
national letter-of-intent. Until then, Dervinis can change her mind, but
there’s little chance of that happening.
After all, Dervinis and Fuchs are on the same mental wavelength.
“She feels you should work hard during the season,” Dervinis said. “Once
the season is over, you should be able to experience other things outside of
it.”
Dervinis, an honors student who ranks 26th in a class of 321, plans on
majoring in communications at Temple. She’s not sure what kind of career she
will move on to, but has four years to figure that out.
On the field, Dervinis brings quality credentials to a squad that went 7-12
last season and is a member of the Atlantic 10.
This season, she was named a first team all-star for the third consecutive
year, a first team all-state for the second consecutive year, and a Mideast
Regional All-American.
Dervinis helped Valley West become a power in the Wyoming Valley Conference
during her four years as a starting forward then midfielder. The Spartans won
the District 2 Class 3A title each of the past two seasons, and reached the
PIAA state semifinals in 1999. The program had not won a championship prior to
that.
“It was a lot of fun,” Dervinis said of her scholastic career. “I
enjoyed it. I walked away with some good memories and good friends.”
Dervinis is the third WVC player to commit to Temple. Previously,
Lake-Lehman’s Melissa DeCesaris and Wyoming Seminary’s Julia Chiampi verbally
accepted scholarships from Temple.