Student-Athlete Spotlight
Laura Klebe
Women's Soccer
Senior
Wayne, Pa.
October 1, 2012
A fourth-year standout on defense for the University of Delaware women's soccer team, Laura is a organizational and community leadership major with a minor in intercultural dynamics at the University of Delaware,
A native of Wayne, Pa. (Conestoga High School), Klebe is serving as a team co-captain with Taylor Thompson this fall.
Entering the 2012 season, Laura had appeared in 57 career games with 47 starts and registered three goals for head coach Scott Grzenda. She led the Blue Hens to a 10-7-4 record in 2011 when the team advanced to the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament semifinals.
1) What were your individual goals coming into this season?
My biggest individual goal coming into this season was to make a difference in every game I played in. I wanted to somehow change the game in a positive way, whether it was make a defensive play to save a goal from going in our net, or to create scoring opportunities for my team on offense. If I didn't somehowmake a difference within the game, I wouldn't be satisfied.
2) What were your expectations for the team coming into the season?
Coming into this season I was extremely excited and knew we would be successful as a team. I honestly thought we have a great chance of becoming CAA Tournament champions. Although we lost some key players last year, we had a ton of talent coming in from the freshmen class. The team is always willing to work hard and give 110% effort, so it was just about coming together and connecting on the field in order to win games.
3) Last season you appeared in a career-high 20 games. How are you taking from your experiences last season and implementing them this year?
Last season I was lucky enough to be able to play in 20 games. In those 20 games my team was able to connect on a whole new level and was able to end up as one of the top teams in the conference. From our success last season I learned how to be a leader on and off the field and how to raise my own level of play, which ultimately helps my teammates to become better players.
4) What made you want to study and play soccer at Delaware?
I decided to come to Delaware because the minute I stepped on campus it felt right. I connected with the team right away and felt comfortable with my surroundings. I knew it was a great school academically which only added to my decision to choose Delaware.
5) What is your major and why did you choose it?
My major is organizational and community leadership. I came into Delaware as abusiness undeclared student and was not sure where I wanted to go with that. After telling him my interests, my athletic adviser suggested that I take a few Leadership classes and make my decision from there. I immediately fell in love with the leadership classes and decided to make it my major. People make fun of me because I am such an advocate of the major and any chance I get I will try and sell people on it. The classes are very hands-on and group work oriented. They truly prepare you for any type of business situation or problem you will be thrown into in the future and teach you how to be a successful leader within any organization.
6) If not soccer, what sport would you play and why?
If I didn't play soccer, I would like to play tennis. They get to wear really cute outfits and travel to warm places! Also playing a sport with a little less physical contact for a while would be nice only because the older I get, the more my body is starting to fall apart.
7) Did you ever, or ever want to play another position other than play defense?
When I was younger I played goalie for a few years until I realized that it was too much pressure and couldn't take the guilt I felt if my team lost. I would love to be able to play forward just for the spotlight but anyone who knows me knows that scoring goals is not something that comes easily to me.
8) What has been your favorite class to take here at Delaware?
My favorite class here at Delaware has honestly been a few of my leadership classes. They make you think outside the box and leave you with knowledge that you know will benefit you in the future.
9) What are your plans after college?
My plans after college are to work in human resources and on the side I am planning on starting a soccer camp with a few of my old teammates from my club team.Eventually we will make the camp nation-wide.
10) What are your favorite non-athletic activities to do?
My favorite non-athletic activity is definitely eating. I am obsessed with food and I love finding cool places that not many people know about with great food. I could talk about food for hours and I love cooking food almost as much aseating it.
11) What has been your most memorable moment on the field here at UD?
My most memorable moment on the field at UD was probably each game we were able to play in the CAA tournament last year. My team had a level of confidence that made it so much fun to play with, and by the end of the season we were able to dominate pretty much any team we played which is always exciting.
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