Whether trying to prevent the ball from hitting the floor in volleyball or trying to prevent the puck from hitting the back of the net in hockey, Maddie Sandvig always has a defensive mindset.

The dual-sport athlete for Aberdeen Central and the Aberdeen Cougars doesn’t always garner the most attention as a defensive player, but her contributions are crucial nonetheless.

“I play defensive positions in both sports,” Sandvig said, “so I think my mindset is kind of always the same, just do the best that I can so other teams can’t score on us.”

For the past few seasons the volleyball and hockey seasons have overlapped. As the Cougars have their opening game, Sandvig has been busy helping the Golden Eagles at the state volleyball tournament.

“I have to pick and choose what hockey practices I want to go to, because volleyball at the time hockey starts is still the main priority,” Sandvig said. “I’ve committed time to that team, and I’ve kind of been through a lot of the season with that team, whereas with hockey I’ve just started and I don’t have all the time for it. I try to go to one practice a week unless I have too many games.”

The senior said there are several traits that carry over from one sport to the other.

For starters, there is the communication aspect as Sandvig attempts to let her teammates know where she is and what is happening.

“I’m personally very communicative when I play volleyball and hockey, and I’ve found that my teammates appreciate it,” she said, “so I like to make sure that that translates in both sports.”

Then there is being in the right place at the right time, although that can be a bit different between the two sports.

“Body position is definitely really important in both, it’s just hockey, my body position is more important in terms or another player, and where they are in front of me,” Sandvig said, “whereas in volleyball it’s in terms of where the ball is going to.”

And last, but probably even more importantly, is having the proper mindset when she is involved in the action.

“I try to be a quick thinker in both sports.” Sandvig said, “That’s probably one of the bigger things that translates, just the mentality.”

Sandvig said her favorite sport is hockey, where she has been a member of the varsity for five years. The captain has developed a strong rapport with her teammates.

“I’ve been around a lot of the same girls for a long time. We all know each other really well,” Sandvig said. “You know what each person is like and how each person reacts in high-intense situations. That’s kind of where that leadership comes in, I think.”

Sandvig has been able to participate in state tournaments for both volleyball and hockey. She said both sports can be demanding in their own separate ways.

“They’re both pretty tough. I’d say mentally volleyball is pretty hard, because the way that points are scored is somebody messing up every single time, 25 times. You have to learn to bounce back from that kind of stuff,” Sandvig said. “I’d say hockey is definitely a lot more physically hard on my body, because I have to use so many different muscles, and I have to assert myself for a short period of time, but as hard as I can for a short period of time.”

Not only that, but a net separates the two teams in volleyball, but in hockey, players can get to know each other on not-so-friendly terms.

“Volleyball has always felt a little bit more like you’re playing yourself to me,” Sandvig said. “We have rivalries in hockey, because we’ve been playing each other for so long, and you’re constantly right next to somebody, in their arm pit. So, there’s just a lot more bitterness when I play some of the other hockey teams, which is fun, because I always enjoy a lot of competitiveness.”

As a defensive player, Sandvig understands that she won’t garner most of the attention in either sport, but she’s OK with that because her teammates value the contributions she brings to each squad.

“I really enjoy it because I personally think it’s a lot more rewarding to be able to help your team not lose. It is tough, because it’s hard not to blame yourself for things that aren’t your fault necessarily. I personally enjoy the responsibility and the trust that my teammates have that I’m going to do everything I can to stop the other team from making plays and scoring,” Sandvig said. “I think it takes a lot of trust in your teammates, which I really appreciate. That’s probably the thing that I like most about it.”

Of course, Sandvig has relished her few moments in the spotlight as well. She once scored a goal in hockey, and during a summer tournament recorded a kill in volleyball that she described as “probably one of the more exciting moments of my career.”

While she enjoyed those rare feats, she is thankful that others recognize her defensive contributions.

“It’s nice,” Sandvig said, “but I do appreciate that my teammates know my role and how important I am to the team.”

As Sandvig heads into her final two months of high school competition, she is also appreciative for something else that has made her playing days memorable.

“I would just like to thank all of the amazing wonderful teammates and coaches I’ve had in both volleyball and hockey over the years that have made me into the player and the person that I am today,” Sandvig said. “I really appreciate everything that everyone else has done for me.”