With her senior year in full swing, Kate Barber is completely tearing up the field hockey field, leading the Lancers to a 9-0 start this season.

Barber has been playing field hockey since fourth grade. Her mom worked with Kelly Yates, owner of popular field hockey club, Gateway, and since Barber played soccer, Yates suggested she tried field hockey.

Barber did more than just “try field hockey” – she excelled and became arguably one of the best players in all of the Midwest, with awards to back that title up.

To name a few, Barber has received Gateway Player of the Year and Post-Dispatch All Metro field hockey player of the year. She is also the only player from the Midwest on the U-19 Junior National Squad.

Barber has always had an extremely important role on the Lady Lancer field hockey team. Last year, the midfielder led the team to their State title with 27 goals and 35 assists during the season.

With the loss of 22 seniors, nine of which were starters, Barber’s role as a leader grew even more.

“This year our team has a lot of good qualities. Everyone is doing a great job by stepping up and filling the shoes of the seniors that left last year. It’s a very different style from last year though” Barber said.

Barber said her role has not changed much because everyone is working hard and filling lost roles.

“I do find myself running a lot more this season” Barber said.

Recently, Barber committed to Indiana University on a full-ride field hockey scholarship where she will study nursing.

“I really liked the atmosphere.” Barber said. “It just felt right. Whenever I would go there to visit, I always told myself that this is where I want to play.”

When asked about possibly playing in the Olympics, Barber said “It’s definitely up in the air, but whatever happens, happens.”