Oct. 15, 2009

On the eve of the Midshipmen's Friday night showdown with the Black Knights, Navysports.com sat down with Jen Grijalva to learn more about the Pleasanton, Calif. native's background, talk about the intensity of the Army-Navy rivalry and the big week ahead for the Navy women's soccer team.

First off, let's talk about your background a bit. What brought you to the Naval Academy?
When I was in high school I knew I wanted to play Division I college soccer, but I was also committed to finding a school that was strong academically. I think it was just kind of luck. I was playing in a tournament back home and I think the Navy team had been playing out in California and Coach Gabarra happened to come watch one of my games. I used to play left outside-mid for a while and she had been sitting on my side for the game. I had a good game and a couple weeks later,

I received a letter saying they were interested. I didn't really know what the school was about, but my Dad told me it was a big deal and suggested we go check it out. I ended up playing in a tournament at WAGS (Washington Area Girls Soccer) and Carin had said to come for a visit. So we did and I was really just blown away by the campus, the people and especially the girls on the team. Everyone was really nice - it really was just a great group of girls.

So I was pretty interested then and I think summer seminar really sold it for me. I really enjoyed that experience and thought this would be a really good opportunity for me. I am really happy with my decision. I think I excelled more academically here than I would have anywhere else, which was my main goal. Soccer has been a major bonus.

What were some other programs you looked at?
I was looking at some California schools, including Pepperdine and USC for a bit. I knew that it would be tough to find time at such a strong program as USC. In the end, it came down to here and the University of Missouri. I really got along with the girls at both schools. In the end, I think my summer seminar experience really was the deciding factor. It really made me feel like this was the place for me.

Plans post-graduation?
Well, for a while I was interested in going the Marine Corps ground route, but my first choice for my service selection is Surface Warfare (SWO).

I'd definitely like to travel. With the soccer team we went to London, Spain and Portugal during my youngster year. And I loved it. My mom's side is Puerto Rican, so I have grown up with the Spanish culture my whole life. I really love that. I am ok at speaking it now, but at some point I would like to become completely fluent in Spanish. I would also like to try and continue my education at some point, perhaps get my law degree.

Talk about what this week has been like with the Star Game coming up. What's the feeling around the team?
Well, I think Coach Rob (Blanck) said it best after the Colgate game on Friday: "We were happy with the effort, but not satisfied with the result." And I think everyone was on the same page with that. We thought we should have won, had some chances we should have put away, but obviously it didn't go our way. I think our effort at practice has increased a lot. People are more intense.

I think we were kind of in a funk for a while after one of our key players (Amanda Serfass) got injured, which was unfortunate. I think sometimes it takes a while to recover from that. But, we have been practicing really well.I think everyone is excited across the board. Everyone is really excited to contribute - whether it's on the field or on the sideline cheering on your teammates - everyone has a role.

Is there anything different the team does during Army week?
Well, we do 'Army Buddies' which is kind of like a Secret Santa where everyone gives each other presents. I don't think any extra motivation is needed, but every bit helps. I think everyone is really looking forward to this game, especially after what happened last year in the Patriot League Final.

Also, Carin sent out an email to the team about how she hasn't taken out her Olympic photo albums from when she played for the longest time. And this week, she took them out and was looking at them because she was very fired up about the game. She put them in the locker room for everyone to look at. I think not only is the team amped up, but I think we've been very focused at practice all week long.

On Friday you have the big rivalry game with Army. But come Sunday the team should have another tough battle on its hands against Holy Cross. How do you guys approach this weekend, knowing you will have to bounce right back?

Well, Carin always tells us that it is hard to come out of an emotional game and re-amp yourself up for the next game. It might not be as emotional, but we all know how important of a game it will be. There isn't that much that separates the teams in our conference and we know that every Patriot League game is going to be a real battle.

Coming out of Army, whatever the result is, we know everyone is going to be very emotional. It's always a really intense game. I think as seniors what we try to stress is to worry about it game-by-game. The second that the Army game is over, we'll start to prepare ourselves for Sunday. Just stay focused, make smart decisions and take care of any injuries.

Shelly Moeller, Beth Reed, Brittany White and yourself have been a part of 59 wins and are on the verge of becoming the winningest senior class in program history. What does something like that mean to you?
It's nice, but I think we'd all agree that we'd like that to see something like that come down year after year. It's nice to look back and know that we really helped out the program, but we want every class to carry that tradition on. It's like in the Hall where we talk about training your relief to do better than you did. I think that's the same attitude and values we want our team and program to hold. Each class continuing to raise the bar higher and higher.

Who are the people you rely on, who have helped and influenced you: teammates, coaches, family, friends?
I'm a big family person, so everyone from my mom, my dad, my grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, godparents - they have all been really supportive of me. My mom is always the one to tell me that I need to keep a good attitude through everything, stay positive and always work your hardest. My dad is always a big advocate of going 110 percent all the time because the only think you can control is how you work.

I also have to thank my trainer, Gregg (Calhoon), for getting me back and able to play as well as I am. I have heard some horror stories about ACL injuries, and I am really just grateful for Gregg and everything he has done. He's great and was incredibly patient dealing with me for every single day for six months - so I am definitely really thankful for that.

I think our team has always been a really good support system for one another. If I ever needed to talk to somebody about something, I know someone would be able to relate to me in any situation I am going through. I'd say one of my closest friends on the team would be Amanda Serfass, who unfortunately just got hurt. She definitely is someone I go to, think she has really helped me keep a positive attitude and keep my confidence up. She will also be the first person to tell me when I have a bad game or when there is something I need to do better.

Having suffered through a knee injury yourself, I imagine you've been a helpful sounding board for her?
I have definitely tried to play an active role in her rehab and be there for her when she gets frustrated. It's a very frustrating process. Having gone through that I think I have been able help her and even her family help set their minds at ease. Our relationship has gotten stronger because of it. You pick your friends up when they are down sort of thing.

Talk about your own experience coming back from injury your sophomore year?
Well, it is hard to get playing time when you are a freshman. I just kind of took that year to work hard in practice, observe what people are doing on the field in my position and really just soak everything in. The next year I came into the preseason really ready. I was really excited about how I was playing, but unfortunately got injured.

Going through that the break from soccer really makes you want to rehab harder because you really realize how much you miss everything. You miss the girls and competing. That whole year taught me to just really keep a good attitude through everything.

Last year, I think I did well, but ever really got to where I wanted to be. Coming back from an injury is not an easy transition. One thing I think I learned and have definitely implemented this year is to keep a positive attitude through everything. Everyone is competitive and everyone wants playing time, but its about the team, its not about yourself. I think I have shifted my focus. I really want to care about the girls and show them a positive example.