Standing in the goal at the far edge of the hockey rink, Logan Hollingsworth ’24 watches and waits. As one of the opposing team’s players rushes at her with the puck, Hollingsworth wastes no time, shooting out of the safety of the net to perform a two-pad stack, blocking a shot that almost certainly would have gone in.

When Hollingsworth started playing ice hockey for the first time in her sophomore year, adding it to her schedule alongside softball, she knew starting a new sport so late would be difficult. However, she gladly took on the challenge and became an invaluable part of the team, centering her game around teamwork and friendship.

“I want to get better and better,” said Hollingsworth. “But for me, it’s not all about winning. It’s more [about being there to] help my team improve.”

Hollingsworth was inspired to join the hockey team by her father, who encouraged her to try new things and to sincerely try her best at everything. She was also inspired by the upperclassmen on her team and sought to replicate their attitude and leadership on the ice. Most importantly, she wanted to step out of her comfort zone and learn something she had never tried before.

“It’s [about] commitments, if you start something you have to continue,” Hollingsworth said.

Despite her lack of prior experience, Hollingsworth volunteered to take on the challenge of being the team’s only goalie. Although the habits she retained from playing softball, such as bending down to get a puck instead of using her pads, were an early setback, her ability to take criticism and turn every loss into a learning experience made a strong impression on everyone around her.

Head girls hockey Coach Christian Herzog was particularly impressed.

“My first impression of Logan ... she was willing to put herself in a position which is not very forgiving,” said Herzog. “But with each time she played, she got a bit better, made better saves, made more saves.”

Although it has been a tough season for the girls hockey team, with more losses than wins, Hollingsworth has never lost her spirit, staying optimistic and making sure her team learns a lesson from every loss and celebrates every victory.

“The stress never really seemed to get to her,” said Herzog. “Honestly, whether we win or lose, she has the right attitude.”

As captain and goalie, Hollingsworth’s main mission has been to make the team’s dynamic as friendly and close as possible, organizing team meetups, weight room sessions, and lunches to bring everyone closer together.

“She brings the team together in a way only she can,” said teammate Sophia Lee ’26. “With the effort she puts in at practice and games, we’re really proud of all the shots she’s blocked this season.”

Hockey is a sport that is difficult to adapt to for newcomers: the heavy gear, ice, and fast paced nature strain the limits of the body’s capabilities. Hollingsworth, as a goalie, is one of the team’s central players. If a game is lost, it’s usually blamed on the goalie. Although she’s been through many difficult and stressful games, Hollingsworth has always pushed herself to improve and learn from both wins and losses.

“I was ready to give up ... I was just so tired,” said Hollingsworth. “But I kept pushing through and, in the end, we didn’t win, but it [ended] up being a good game.”

Both her teammates and coaches will miss her when she graduates at the end of this school year. She has been an invaluable part of the team, bringing everyone together as captain and preparing next year’s goalie to take her place.

“I anticipate she’ll be coming back to cheer on the team in future years, even when she’s away at college,” Herzog said.

Hollingsworth will miss the team she has been a part of for three years, and will consider joining a club team in college. She is excited to see both new and old players succeed in the future, and will keep the lessons she has learned from hockey close to heart.

“A win is a win, but a loss is a lesson to learn from to get better next time,” said Hollingsworth. “Even though hockey [is] a team sport, it’s also about personal improvement.