Shae Holmes, Defender – Post-Training Press Conference • 1-25-23
Defender Shae Holmes
On her feelings from the Draft and joining OL Reign:
“It has been absolutely amazing, for sure unreal. In general, I got to train with them a little bit over the summer. I played at [University of Washington] so it was nice, little close. I know (head coach) Laura (Harvey) from the U20s. But overall, I’m just so excited to learn everything, absorb everything. From Draft Day to now, it has just been all but excitement and I guess to share my curiosity and learn all that I can.”
On if her experience with Harvey and at the U20s helps ease the transition from college to being a professional:
“Yeah, 100 percent. I think, for sure, speed of play and just in general, it has been a comfort factor, knowing her as a coach and her style and what she expects. Also, I played with (goalkeeper) Laurel (Ivory) at U.S. camps, like (goalkeeper) Claudia Dickey. I played with (midfielder Olivia Van der Jagt) Olo in college, so I just think all that has been a good comfort blanket as well to be here. So, I know what they expect, I know the standard and yeah, I’m just excited to continue to be around them again.”
On things being different now that she is training as a professional:
“Everything hasn’t really changed. It was definitely, coming in, everyone was like, ‘Shae, nice to see you again’. I was like, great, gave a little bit of the, OK, we’re good, we’re settled in. But definitely now being involved and being like OK, I’m here and this is not just filling in as a little player every so often. It brought on a new pressure perse, but everyone around has been super supportive and awesome and super welcoming culture, so it’s felt just like the summer again.”
On if the team has discussed goals for the season:
“I think this week, for sure, we went over our expectations a little bit and it was just getting back into the swing of things and then, for sure, when we head out to LA this weekend, I think that’s when we’re really starting to set who we are again and incorporate a lot of our new faces around and see where a lot of those pieces fill in or whatnot. So, it’s kind of evolving into what they do best and how we fit in and how we can move up from there and continue to get better each day.”
On how familiar she is with Starfire and if she played here before:
“I’m actually from Colorado, so no I didn’t, but I have tons of teammates from college that played here and everything. So, a little familiar but it’s definitely a new space for me.”
On the reaction video when she was drafted by the Reign:
“Honestly, I don’t think I have any words to describe how I felt. It was overjoyed, excitement. I was surprised I didn’t cry. I’m like, ‘Wow, this is like, where were the happy tears?’ I honestly was starstruck. It was definitely the dream place to be. Being up here for so long, I call Seattle my home away from home, so it was definitely just assurance that it was like, this is where I’m supposed to be, this is the path I’m on for now, so let’s just ride the wave out.”
On if there is any significance to wearing the number 25:
“Well, so (No.) 11, I’ve had since I was literally U11 ever since starting competitive soccer, so that’s always been my heart, but I knew obviously (defender) Sofia Huerta wears that proudly, so I was like, ‘For sure that’s hers’. So, (No.) 25 came from – my dad actually played college football at Colorado State and that was his college number all through it, so we’ve just grown up with that and it’s a little bit of home in my heart. So, it was definitely a thought-out pick.”
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