University of Minnesota Athletics
Back in Action: Junior Tierney Palmer-Klein
9/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
For many college students the chance to study abroad is a once in a lifetime experience that is too good to pass up. Palmer-Klein spent last season in Chile, studying abroad, and although she was missed on and off the field by her teammates, coaches, family and friends; she gained a memorable experience that will stick with her long after she kicked her last soccer ball.
"Mentally the year away gave me a new perspective, and I have realized what I need to do to get things done," Palmer-Klein said of the experience. "It has definitely made me a more mature player, but it has been physically demanding to get back into soccer shape."
The good news for Golden Gopher soccer fans is that Palmer-Klein is back, and despite what she says, is in great shape. The new look 2004 Golden Gopher soccer team, and new coach Mikki Denney Wright and her staff welcomed the veteran defender back with open arms. The junior plays an integral role as a starting defender for the Golden Gopher, and brings a tireless work ethic to practice, which benefits the entire team.
Coach Denney Wright feels delighted to have Palmer-Klein return, as would any new coach who gets to inherit a talented veteran in their debut year. "Tierney's return is a huge boost for us because of her experience and her leadership," Denney Wright said. "Without her last season, a lot of younger players were thrown in there and gained valuable experience. With Tierney back in the fold, we have the ability to shut teams down."
Just as the new coaching staff appreciates having Palmer-Klein return, she is just as excited to be back and working with the new staff. "They have been very forward with everybody about what they want out of us. They are extremely communicative and incredibly organized," she said.
The admiration of Palmer-Klein is not limited only to her new coaches. Her teammates respected her decision to step away from the game for a season, and showed no animosity and only happiness when she returned. "My teammates were all very supportive of my decision. Some may have thought it was a little different, but overall they think it was a great thing for me," Palmer-Klein commented.
This new beginning for Palmer-Klein and all the players may be exactly what the Golden Gopher program needed, as the team started out the this season winning three of its first five games. Palmer-Klein thinks that the team seems more confident and sure of themselves on the field this year.
Commenting on the main differences she sees between the Golden Gopher teams she played on in the past and this year's team, she said, "I think this year's team is more focused and willing to work harder to get the win. It all starts in practice. These girls come out everyday and want to play."
The determination of this year's squad did not just appear out of nowhere. Every team has its leaders and being an upperclassman who has started every collegiate game she has played in, Palmer-Klein's work ethic has obviously rubbed off on the rest of her teammates.
When discussing her leadership role as a captain, Palmer-Klein shows modesty, and comes off as a leader by example. "I think I put more pressure on myself," she stated. "I think of myself as a leader, but not anymore than anybody else on this team. We all have high expectations of each other."
Those high expectations have led Palmer-Klein to believe in herself and her teammates as they have set higher goals this year than in her past seasons. For Palmer-Klein, this season is about doing more than just average. She wants to be a top three team in the Big Ten Conference and establish the Golden Gopher as a winning program.
A low-key Vegan off the field, who likes to bum around with friends or build things when away from soccer, Palmer-Klein is of the rare breed who can turn it on after stepping foot on the field. A self-described "intense" player, it will be of no surprise if her consistent play in the backfield is a determining factor in this season's team reaching their goals.
Story written by Athletic Communications student assistant Dominic Ladd. Ladd welcomes comments at ladd0022@umn.edu
It's not often that a Division one athlete has the opportunity to study abroad mid-way through their career. There are many players who are forced to sit out due to injuries, or a rare few that are forced to focus on their academics. There are also others who are red- shirted by their coaches for different reasons, usually early in their career. In the case of Tierney Palmer-Klein, she chose to take last season off.
For many college students the chance to study abroad is a once in a lifetime experience that is too good to pass up. Palmer-Klein spent last season in Chile, studying abroad, and although she was missed on and off the field by her teammates, coaches, family and friends; she gained a memorable experience that will stick with her long after she kicked her last soccer ball.
"Mentally the year away gave me a new perspective, and I have realized what I need to do to get things done," Palmer-Klein said of the experience. "It has definitely made me a more mature player, but it has been physically demanding to get back into soccer shape."
The good news for Golden Gopher soccer fans is that Palmer-Klein is back, and despite what she says, is in great shape. The new look 2004 Golden Gopher soccer team, and new coach Mikki Denney Wright and her staff welcomed the veteran defender back with open arms. The junior plays an integral role as a starting defender for the Golden Gopher, and brings a tireless work ethic to practice, which benefits the entire team.
Coach Denney Wright feels delighted to have Palmer-Klein return, as would any new coach who gets to inherit a talented veteran in their debut year. "Tierney's return is a huge boost for us because of her experience and her leadership," Denney Wright said. "Without her last season, a lot of younger players were thrown in there and gained valuable experience. With Tierney back in the fold, we have the ability to shut teams down."
Just as the new coaching staff appreciates having Palmer-Klein return, she is just as excited to be back and working with the new staff. "They have been very forward with everybody about what they want out of us. They are extremely communicative and incredibly organized," she said.
The admiration of Palmer-Klein is not limited only to her new coaches. Her teammates respected her decision to step away from the game for a season, and showed no animosity and only happiness when she returned. "My teammates were all very supportive of my decision. Some may have thought it was a little different, but overall they think it was a great thing for me," Palmer-Klein commented.
This new beginning for Palmer-Klein and all the players may be exactly what the Golden Gopher program needed, as the team started out the this season winning three of its first five games. Palmer-Klein thinks that the team seems more confident and sure of themselves on the field this year.
Commenting on the main differences she sees between the Golden Gopher teams she played on in the past and this year's team, she said, "I think this year's team is more focused and willing to work harder to get the win. It all starts in practice. These girls come out everyday and want to play."
The determination of this year's squad did not just appear out of nowhere. Every team has its leaders and being an upperclassman who has started every collegiate game she has played in, Palmer-Klein's work ethic has obviously rubbed off on the rest of her teammates.
When discussing her leadership role as a captain, Palmer-Klein shows modesty, and comes off as a leader by example. "I think I put more pressure on myself," she stated. "I think of myself as a leader, but not anymore than anybody else on this team. We all have high expectations of each other."
Those high expectations have led Palmer-Klein to believe in herself and her teammates as they have set higher goals this year than in her past seasons. For Palmer-Klein, this season is about doing more than just average. She wants to be a top three team in the Big Ten Conference and establish the Golden Gopher as a winning program.
A low-key Vegan off the field, who likes to bum around with friends or build things when away from soccer, Palmer-Klein is of the rare breed who can turn it on after stepping foot on the field. A self-described "intense" player, it will be of no surprise if her consistent play in the backfield is a determining factor in this season's team reaching their goals.
Story written by Athletic Communications student assistant Dominic Ladd. Ladd welcomes comments at ladd0022@umn.edu
