As the end of high school approached, Jessica Bitz thought she would have to give up the sport she loved.
Going into the 11th grade, Bitz's post-graduation plans included working her way through Douglas College, a post-secondary institution near her hometown of Port Moody, British Columbia.
Though she played for Team British Columbia and in the Canadian field hockey premier league, Bitz never considered playing collegiate field hockey in the United States a realistic option, citing the expensive costs.
(I decided) I'm not even going to bother wasting my time
said Bitz, one of Ohio University's two starting freshmen. I'm just going to focus on high school get a job work
make some money and figure out an education back at home.
But Bitz's plans changed when Ali Johnstone accepted a coaching position at her alma mater - OU.
Johnstone, a British Columbia native, decided to return to Athens as an assistant coach at Ohio, eight years after a celebrated playing career for the Bobcats.
The assistant coach led the Bobcats to a Mid-American Conference Championship and their first NCAA Tournament appearance. When she graduated in 2002, she was a four-time All-MAC First Team selection and two-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-American.
One of Johnstone's first moves as a recruiter was to tap her knowledge of the field hockey scene in the Vancouver area.
She coached Bitz and Jessica Jue, who had known each other through field hockey since the seventh grade, on a British Columbia regional squad when they were 14.
Johnstone also played against the pair in the Canadian premier league. The league features 16- to 25-year-old players, many of whom are current and ex-Canadian national players.
Bitz and Jue both played for Meralomas Premier. The pair often faced Johnstone on the field when they played her Hawks Club.
My friends were their coaches
Johnstone said. I watched (Bitz and Jue) progress from 14 to 18. I kind of saw their talent grow.
Seeing their growth led Johnstone to waste no time in pursuing what would be her first recruits for the Bobcats.
As soon as I got here
I just knew they'd be a really good fit personality-wise and athletics-wise
she said.
Bitz received an e-mail from Johnstone at the beginning of her junior year offering her a spot on Ohio's roster.
More importantly, Johnstone offered a scholarship that would help her financially. Bitz and her family saw it as the opportunity of a lifetime.
We were so shocked and overwhelmed
Bitz said. Our whole family got really emotional about it and started crying.
The Bobcats continued communicating with the pair as the recruitment progressed. When it came time to sign, both Jue and Bitz chose the Bobcats.
The pair didn't have featured roles at the beginning of the year, but each saw her playing time increase as the year went on. As of Sunday, Jue had started nine matches and Bitz started seven.
Jue has proven she could be an effective part of the offense. She has recorded three goals and two assists so far this season.
Coach Neil Macmillan thrust Bitz into a prominent role on defense after redshirt-junior Louzeth Schutte was injured.
Johnstone said Bitz and Jue adjusted well to Astroturf because they played on it in Canada. Usually, incoming freshmen have trouble adjusting to the speed of the surface, she said.
I knew they'd make an impact
Johnstone said. But I'm ultimately impressed that right now they're both starting.
Bitz and Jue's friendship also grew after they played on the same provincial and winter-league premier squads. When it came time to come to the U.S., they took the same flight and chose to be roommates at Ohio.
On their dorm room wall hangs the e-mail Bitz received from Johnstone - a symbol of her unlikely journey to Athens.
I'll never take anything here for granted
Bitz said. I'll never lose (perspective) on what I have.
