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Coffee & Valkyries S1E2: Say Hello to OL Reign's Sam Hiatt
68 Plays2 years ago
A chat with OL Reign defender Sam Hiatt on the team's strong start, her growth as a player, and her representation as a Filipina-American athlete.
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Transcript
Introduction at Hood Famous Coffee Shop
00:00:12
Speaker
Hi all rain fans we're here with another episode of coffee and Valkyries I am here with defender Sam Hyatt Sam welcome to the show how are you doing today, I'm good, thank you so much for having me on to do one of these in person after years of. Yeah, so for those listening if you're going to you're going to hear some background noise because we are here at the famous hood famous coffee shop in bakery in Seattle, this is one of my favorite spots is also one of Sam's favorite spots.
00:00:38
Speaker
Yeah, we were pretty excited. I learned about Hood Famous last year, maybe the year before. And ever since then, I would say we've been fairly regular customers. I've brought my whole family here. I recently brought my mom's mom, my lula here. So it's lula approved. Lots of good Filipino goods here and great drinks too, coffee and otherwise. Were you a little bit nervous about taking your mom and your lula here? Because as we as we all know, mom and lula seal of approvals do not get handed out like flyers.
00:01:06
Speaker
I was definitely, I don't know if nervous is the right word, I was just excited for their opinion because I had been here first obviously and everything tasted amazing and you know authentic and like it was made from home to me but I knew the real test would be seeing them and again they were eating things and they're like wow this tastes just like so and so just like when it's from here and even I don't think they'd ever had ube cheesecake before so it's fun to introduce them to that as well.
00:01:31
Speaker
That's awesome.
OL Reign's Performance and Strategy
00:01:33
Speaker
So, at this point of this young, but still very early end of the cell season, all arraigned second in the table. How do you feel, where the team is in terms of what's working on the field? What are some things that still need to be worked on? But just overall, what's your take on the state of the team so far in the season?
00:01:51
Speaker
I think we're in a good place. I think obviously coming off this most recent game, we have things that we definitely want to improve and work on. But I would say this about this group that in general, even win or lose, we're always, we watch film, we talk about what could have been better, where we want to improve, areas we want to grow in, things we want to keep doing well. So I think that that's something
00:02:17
Speaker
that we're just going to carry with us no matter what the result I would say. So I think we're in a good place. I think there are definitely things that we want to continue to work on. And I just think that at this point in the season, we're just going game by game trying to put together the best performance that we can and obviously get results.
00:02:39
Speaker
When you guys were down in North Carolina after that, I was looking at the schedule and it just kind of seemed to have lucked out for the team in terms of as grueling as that early schedule has been.
Travel Challenges and Conditioning
00:02:51
Speaker
But like in terms of you guys going from coast to coast, mainly the east coast, the notorious weather, humidity, all that stuff, you guys are pretty much in the clear at the moment in terms of you guys don't make another east coast trip until
00:03:04
Speaker
later in June then you know there's a trip in Houston in July but then outside of that like your next cross-country trip won't be until you know the end of the regular season in Chicago how does the team feel about that kind of like hey well you know is there like a sense of relief that you don't have to do that East Coast trip during like the dog days of summer like in August and you know
00:03:28
Speaker
Well, especially as someone who was born and raised here in the Pacific Northwest, and thus is not a big humidity girl, I definitely, when the season comes out, I note where those games are and what time of year they are. But at the same time, I will say, at least for me personally, I didn't really realize that we were traveling so much more than other teams, I think. And if I had to guess, I would think most of the team as well, we were kind of just, you know, going from game to game, okay, we're going Spirit, now we're going Gotham, okay, we're coming back, Louisville.
00:03:57
Speaker
North Carolina. And I think while we're going through it, it wasn't necessarily something we thought about. But now, like you said, being on the backside, I think it is nice that we kind of got all that travel out of the way because ultimately, everyone's going to have to do it at some point. And to do it in the beginning of the season, it was tiring while we went through it for sure. But I think doing it this way is maybe better than doing it the other way around.
00:04:20
Speaker
strings of games in the worst time of the year to be in those places, which I think we kind of did last year. We had that infamous three-game road trip to North Carolina, Gotham, ending in Houston, which was pretty brutal. So I think, again, in the moment going through, I wasn't necessarily thinking about it that way. But now that we've been through it, it is kind of nice that we have a lot of the big trips out of the way. I think we still have Orlando. I think that's the June one, maybe. Yeah. And then, obviously, like you said, Chicago at the end of the year, so. Cool.
00:04:49
Speaker
So you guys are back in the comforts of home hosting Gotham on Sunday. But before we talk a little bit about that, I want to go back to the last homestand where the team had just done the three games in a week. But after the last home game, Laura had mentioned about how
00:05:06
Speaker
When she was asked about how to keep everybody fresh and fit and you know rotating the squad She had mentioned something about you in terms of like how maybe you last season may not have necessarily been like up for like the rotation or just that many matches in a week, but she and then she commended you on being able to kind of Go through at this, you know a couple weeks ago
00:05:30
Speaker
I'm just curious, was there anything you changed in your offseason when it comes to conditioning, you know, to kind of prepare you for, you know, doing three matches in a week? I think, I do think I did a good job this offseason. I think part of that is just as you go on each successive season, I think I just know my body a little bit better.
00:05:52
Speaker
and know what I need in order to be at my best coming into preseason and carrying that into season, what I need for myself in terms of recovery and how to best be able to be ready to do whatever the team needs, which might be three games in a week and might not. So I think the preparation I did in the offseason I think helped and also just generally knowing myself better. I think that helped me while I was preparing and doing
00:06:18
Speaker
conditioning and training in the offseason and also just now to help me get through those entire weeks. Was there anything that you did new in terms of your conditioning in the offseason like in terms of like whatever you were doing like whether it be gym workout, gym routine or you know something on the field specific too was there anything you incorporated you into that you know offseason conditioning program?
00:06:43
Speaker
I'm trying to think back to two off seasons ago to be able to compare. I think I just really honed in on, I obviously did a lot of running, a lot of training, and I think just whatever combination I had, I think I got it right this year. So I'm going to try and replicate it again next year.
Learning from Teammates and Role Models
00:07:02
Speaker
So as a defender, pretty much everybody knows who are your colleagues on the whole range of back lines. You have Lou, OG, you have Alana, you have Sofia. And then recently, like Laura's been saying, after training, after games, calling you out in terms of how much you contribute to the back line amongst a star-studded back line. What goes through your,
00:07:30
Speaker
your head and what are you feeling when you're getting recognized for that amongst a star studded back line but also a squad that is filled with so many stars. I mean first and foremost it is an honor and a pleasure every time I get to play with
00:07:48
Speaker
Lou and Alana and so it's fantastic and I think I just always try and do my best and contribute what I can and I think A credit and shout out to them. I've learned so much over the past couple years playing with them I mean Lou is basically another coach on the field. We're always talking about things Just trying to work through what other teams are giving us and she's just a great resource to have and so I think
00:08:11
Speaker
I've definitely learned so much playing next to them. I just always want to, you know, do my best and do my part to make our team and our defense as difficult to get through.
World Cup Break and Taylor Swift
00:08:26
Speaker
So this is a long season because, you know, NWSL seasons are long, but we are coming up close on the first World Cup break. This is a bit more of a fun question because the World Cup break, the first one, is conveniently timed around when you guys will basically be here, but it's also conveniently timed around a certain artist coming to Loom & Field and booking it and having it for the whole weekend, Taylor Swift.
00:08:51
Speaker
Oh my goodness. I was just curious if you have tickets or like if the whole team is doing any sort of like group outing to it. I personally don't have tickets. I can't claim to know if anyone else on the team does or does not. But I will say we do have some Taylor Swift fans. I would say Rose is a pretty big Taylor Swift fan. And I think through my friendship with Rose last year, my listening to Taylor Swift increased dramatically.
00:09:21
Speaker
I don't know if anyone has tickets actually. I don't think so. I feel like I would know if someone did. So I'm assuming since I don't haven't heard about it, I think, I don't think anyone does. Okay. I'm sure you, the whole team can get a sweet port before it as well. Cause you guys are going to be in town.
00:09:37
Speaker
I mean, that would be amazing. I didn't even know we were going to be in town, Darren, to be quite honest. I think, in my head, I'm just thinking about Gotham. I couldn't really tell you what comes after that. Got it. So, Sunday's match against Gotham, it's been themed as the club's AA and HPI match, heritage celebration match, and because we're obviously in the month of celebrating
Role Model for Young Filipina-Americans
00:09:58
Speaker
that.
00:09:58
Speaker
You've talked about it many times about what it means to be a Filipino-American, playing in WSL, but just sports in general. I am curious though, what goes through your head and heart, or what are you feeling when somebody comes up to you and says,
00:10:15
Speaker
recognize you and appreciate you for being a Filipina American in sports, especially in the city of Seattle, where there's such a rich history of Asians and Asian Americans, not only just in sports, but just in culture that are contributed to why Seattle is such a deep hotbed for the culture.
00:10:36
Speaker
I'm so honored in any time someone comes up to me and actually a couple weeks ago I can't remember which home game it was but a little girl came up to me and her dad was like she's at Filipino too and I was so excited I was like honored she asked for a selfie and I was like we can take as many pictures as you want like I'm so flattered and I just think
00:10:56
Speaker
When I was growing up I was fortunate to have my mom as someone who I could look up to so obviously I just wanted to grow up and play soccer like her and I think it is just a special opportunity to maybe be that figure for someone else and so I just think it's such an honor to be like you said in this city in particular where there is an Asian population to be a figure where maybe some young Asian girl can see me playing in Lumen and can
00:11:24
Speaker
Dream big for herself and know that that's possible for her too. With that in mind and also just you being a consistent starter in the NWSL, has that opened up any sort of conversations or considerations about what you want to do on an international scene as a soccer player in terms of like possibly representing the Philippines or is your aim to still put on the US shirt?
00:11:51
Speaker
Well, honestly, for right now, my focus is to just be the best rain player that I can be. And I think, especially in the short term, where we're going to be losing a lot of internationals during the World Cup break to just do what I can to keep contributing to this team and ultimately continue my growth and development here at the NWSL.
Focus on OL Reign vs. International Play
00:12:11
Speaker
That's a nice safe answer because I've gotten some questions from people like, oh, could Sam represent the Philippines? Like, yeah, she could if, you know, she wants to do it.
00:12:19
Speaker
There's no obligation, but that's something that we just had to ask in terms of like, where do you think right now, if you've thought about your international career, where would you want it to go? So yeah, that was mostly just asking from that perspective.
00:12:36
Speaker
Okay, here's a question that one of my colleagues had sent over. So you went to Stanford along with, you know, the alumni's, you know, pretty famous, Alana, Naomi. What is it about Stanford that's identifying and developing such quality center backs?
00:12:53
Speaker
I have no idea. I think it really is so funny. The, yeah, the center backs that have come out of Stanford for these past couple of years have been obviously making us very proud on the international level and in the end of yourself. And I've loved playing with them.
00:13:10
Speaker
At Stanford, I love playing with Lonnie now. And playing against, you know, Naomi and Tierra and I is always a challenge. But I guess, I don't know what Paul's doing or what Stanford's doing down there, but something's going well for the center backs. Right. I'm going through my list of questions here.
00:13:38
Speaker
Here's a fun one that we've been kind of curious about.
Nickname 'Shredder' and Wrist Tape Functionality
00:13:42
Speaker
What are your thoughts on your nickname, the Shredder, or Shreddy, as the teammates have called you? I have fully accepted the Shredder. Actually, there's someone who sits in the front part of Loomin who has a sign that says something like, you're not ready for Shreddy. And I think they cheer. I can hear them from the field.
00:14:00
Speaker
I can hear them saying, yeah, Shredder sometimes during the game, which is awesome. But yeah, I fully accepted it. Not that I ever didn't really, but I guess the team has really accepted it. And you know, a nickname has really made it when there are now nicknames and derivatives of the nickname. So I go by Shreddy, Shred, Shredder, Shredster. One particular person who sometimes says Shredmaster 3000, but that's like a personal choice.
00:14:28
Speaker
But yeah, I'm a big fan of it now, honestly. Especially when there were two Sams as well, it was nice to make a distinction. So Shreddy, Shred, Shredster, Shredder, all of the above, I answer too. That is awesome. Did you ever wonder where that nickname came from?
00:14:45
Speaker
Well, I knew it was from, you guys tweeted it. Yeah. Way back when, because I remember my family, someone sent me a screenshot of the original brainstorm tweet that had like a bunch. And I do think people on the team for a while were saying a few of the other ones. I can't remember what. I think Womping Willow.
00:15:02
Speaker
was a fan favorite of the Harry Potter fans for a bit. But the shutter clearly was the one that stuck, so. Yeah, which is kind of interesting for me, because when I suggested it in terms of that brainstorming tweet, I was like, eh. I don't feel like it's my best creative effort. But I mean, hey, if the team has taken to it, and it's part of you, it's your nickname now. It's like, who am I to argue?
00:15:29
Speaker
it I mean thank goodness that it made the cut for the tweet because then I wouldn't be shredder I don't know don't know what what happened got it
00:15:43
Speaker
So this is kind of a random question that I've thought about earlier in terms of like whenever I see you out on the field, you always seem to have like wrist tape around your left wrist. Is that just aesthetic or is there a story to it? Because when I was looking at photos of you from Stanford, you didn't seem to have it.
00:16:02
Speaker
it is taping um it's taping my whoop in place like uh
00:16:17
Speaker
This is called a whoop. And it just tracks different things. Oh, OK. Yeah. Oh, OK. Sorry. No, that's fine. Because sometimes whenever we see athletes putting them on, it could be something for functional in terms like they might have had a hand or wrist injury. Because I think that's the case with Kareem Benzema. He always has it on. But other times, it's just simple aesthetics. Yeah. This is for functionality, I would say, not aesthetics or anything like that. But yeah, I didn't have this in college, which is why my Stanford pictures are lacking the tape.
00:16:47
Speaker
Got it. So in terms of Sunday's match in Gotham, you'd already met them early in the season, came away with that with a victory.
Strategies Against Gotham and Wrap-Up
00:16:55
Speaker
What are you looking towards in that match and like how's the team preparing for it and you know what do you think are going to be the keys for the team to get back on the winning side?
00:17:05
Speaker
Yeah, I think they're a really good team. I think they've been doing well. They obviously have some great attackers that we will need to be aware of as a back line and think about what we can do structurally and with our shape to kind of nullify their threats. But at the same time, I think a lot of our focus for us is to what we can do as a team and again what we can do better coming off of last week.
00:17:31
Speaker
weekend because I really do think that when we play well and perform the way that we know we can perform and there have been flashes of it this season I think will be difficult for any team to handle so I think while we're definitely conscious of what they're gonna bring and what again as a defender I'm thinking of their attack that's gonna mean for me in particular in my job on Sunday I think at the same time a lot of our focus is gonna be on what we want to highlight for ourselves and what we want to
00:17:57
Speaker
improving these next couple days of training to really just improve us overall. Because again, I think when we're playing well, when we're firing on all cylinders, I think it's tough for anyone to handle that. All right. Well, Sam, that pretty much is the end of my list of questions for this. So the floor is yours for any last words you'd like to say to O.L. Rain fans, say hi to friends and family, whatever you want to say.
00:18:27
Speaker
We hope to see you guys out there on Sunday. We're happy to be back home and coming to live or I guess we'll be live from Hood famous. So if you haven't been here yet, they've got great coffee, great drinks and lots of yummy Filipino food too. What would be your go to recommendations for someone that's not been here before?
00:18:46
Speaker
I think the ube latte here is great. Also the ube cheesecake and then sometimes just the little like different pastries they have it kind of rotates the cookies and the uko pie for again any Filipinos out there who might be listening is really good so honestly like I said everything I've had here I've been very impressed by. Awesome well Sam thank you very much for taking the time to come down here and do coffee and batteries with us and all the best to the team on Sunday. Thank you so much for having me.