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Chelsea's Corey Block committed to continue her field hockey career at Michigan State University last month. Block is the first Bulldog athlete to play field hockey in college.
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Chelsea's Corey Block was born to be a field hockey player.
Even before she entered this world, Block was already participating in field hockey events, albeit inside her mother's belly.
"I was pregnant with Corey at nationals," said Roxy Block, Corey's mom, coach and former collegiate and Ann Arbor club field hockey player.
Not surprisingly, Corey, now all grown up and a 5-foot-5 senior, is one of the state's top field hockey players. Earlier this month, she committed to continue her field hockey career at Michigan State University. The nationally ranked Spartans are one of the country's best programs.
"The coaching staff is amazing," said Corey, a two-time All-State selection and a member of the Olympic Development Program and the Junior Olympic field hockey program. "I wanted to play with the best. I've always gone to their camps. I've always wanted to play there. It's a great school. It's a big-time university."
Corey, who also plays soccer and is a member of the Bulldog equestrian team, said MSU offered everything she was looking for in a school.
"It's very competitive athletically," she said. "There's a good balance. They're strong academically and athletically. They (MSU coaches) really encouraged me to come to the school. They've been very supportive."
Besides the Spartans, Corey, who sports a 4.11 grade point average, was also recruited by Big Ten schools Indiana and Ohio State.
Wearing her coaching hat, Roxy said Corey is determined to succeed.
"Anything she sets her mind to she does her best," she said. "She works hard at everything she does. She's very competitive. She often plays through pain. She's had a broken finger and still played."
Roxy said Corey is a technician on the field.
"She's able to learn techniques and works to implement those skills on the field," she said. "She's a very intelligent player. She's a playmaker for our team. She helps set up plays. She's very good at passing. She's a very skilled player."
Corey, who began playing field hockey in the third-grade, has suited up for the Washtenaw Whippets since entering high school. The Whippets are comprised of field hockey players from Chelsea, Dexter, Saline and Ann Arbor schools.
"I've been able to make friends with girls from Dexter and Saline," Corey said, about the benefits of playing on the Whippets. "I wouldn't have met them if I didn't play on the team."
A Bulldog captain, Corey, who's the first athlete from Chelsea to play field hockey in college, said she likes the pace of the sport.
"I love it," she said. "It's fast. You can always improve. I like team sports. The more and more I played, the more I grew to love the sport."
Switching to her mom hat, Roxy said she's excited for her daughter as she prepares for the next level.
"I'm very proud of her," she said. "For her to get recruited by MSU is special."
Sports Editor Don Richter can be reached at 475-1371 or at drichter@heritage.com.
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