McKenzie Adams enters her third year with the Maroon and White.
Off The Pitch: McKenzie Adams
July 26, 2016 | Soccer
STARKVILLE, Miss. – During the summer, HailState.com will interview select Mississippi State soccer players in an effort to learn more about their lives on and off the pitch. Madison, Miss., native McKenzie Adams is next on our list as we sit down with the rising junior.
For more information on Adams or any other member of the Bulldog soccer team, follow the program on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook at "HailStateSOC."
McKenzie Adams Q&A
Q: Why did you start playing soccer?
A: "My parents introduced me to the sport and I just fell in love with it. I actually began playing while I was living in Starkville. I moved to Madison in the fifth grade and that's when I began playing club soccer. Around that time I started wanting to play collegiately and since I was a life long Mississippi State fan it all worked out for me."
Q: Did you get a chance to see any MSU games while living in Starkville?
"I grew up coming to every game on Fridays and Sundays. Our routine as a family on Sunday was to go to church, grab a bite to eat and head to the soccer field. I remember being a ball girl for some games when I was younger and the girls on those teams back then were awesome. They always made me feel special while I was out there."
Q: What differences were there at the soccer field back then?
"It used to just be a hill and there were no bleachers. So you had to bring a blanket to sit on. We didn't have any concession stands back then either, so it was a very different atmosphere compared to the one we have now. With our new locker room it will just make that atmosphere even better, so we're very blessed to have what we do now."
Q: You won a state title at Madison Central, how was that feeling?
"It was probably one of the best feelings I've ever had. It was my senior year, so we all wanted to go out on top. Winning the state title did that. It was also a special moment because our boy's team won that year too, so we got to share that with our entire school."
Q: Which win from last season was bigger, Arkansas or Kentucky?
"That's tough. The Arkansas win relieved so much pressure. We were so close so many times before that, so to finally get over that hump was huge for us. It set the wheels in motion, because after that game we got two more and started playing great. The Arkansas game relieved our stress and the Kentucky win was a huge confidence boost for us. They were both big."
Q: What lessons have you learned during your time at MSU?
"Since we are older we have more experience. We know what to expect, we know the little things to do now. It helps us because we can pass those lessons down to the younger players."
Q: This year is the 15-year anniversary of the 2001 SEC West Championship team, how will it feel to honor that team this year?
"It'll be cool to be a part of that, because I watched that team growing up. It's a really big deal when you can be one of the top teams in your conference. We have so much respect for them and what they did that year. It's hard to accomplish something like that and to get back there is our goal."
Quick Hitters
Favorite television show: Grey's Anatomy
Favorite band: NEEDTOBREATHE
Favorite teammate: Mallory Eubanks
Favorite team to face: Ole Miss
Superstition: Sitting on the left side of the bus
Biggest fear: Snakes
Biggest pet peeve: Being late
Pregame ritual: Eat a granola bar
Goal after college: Become a physical therapist
For more information on Adams or any other member of the Bulldog soccer team, follow the program on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook at "HailStateSOC."
McKenzie Adams Q&A
Q: Why did you start playing soccer?
A: "My parents introduced me to the sport and I just fell in love with it. I actually began playing while I was living in Starkville. I moved to Madison in the fifth grade and that's when I began playing club soccer. Around that time I started wanting to play collegiately and since I was a life long Mississippi State fan it all worked out for me."
Q: Did you get a chance to see any MSU games while living in Starkville?
"I grew up coming to every game on Fridays and Sundays. Our routine as a family on Sunday was to go to church, grab a bite to eat and head to the soccer field. I remember being a ball girl for some games when I was younger and the girls on those teams back then were awesome. They always made me feel special while I was out there."
Q: What differences were there at the soccer field back then?
"It used to just be a hill and there were no bleachers. So you had to bring a blanket to sit on. We didn't have any concession stands back then either, so it was a very different atmosphere compared to the one we have now. With our new locker room it will just make that atmosphere even better, so we're very blessed to have what we do now."
Q: You won a state title at Madison Central, how was that feeling?
"It was probably one of the best feelings I've ever had. It was my senior year, so we all wanted to go out on top. Winning the state title did that. It was also a special moment because our boy's team won that year too, so we got to share that with our entire school."
Q: Which win from last season was bigger, Arkansas or Kentucky?
"That's tough. The Arkansas win relieved so much pressure. We were so close so many times before that, so to finally get over that hump was huge for us. It set the wheels in motion, because after that game we got two more and started playing great. The Arkansas game relieved our stress and the Kentucky win was a huge confidence boost for us. They were both big."
Q: What lessons have you learned during your time at MSU?
"Since we are older we have more experience. We know what to expect, we know the little things to do now. It helps us because we can pass those lessons down to the younger players."
Q: This year is the 15-year anniversary of the 2001 SEC West Championship team, how will it feel to honor that team this year?
"It'll be cool to be a part of that, because I watched that team growing up. It's a really big deal when you can be one of the top teams in your conference. We have so much respect for them and what they did that year. It's hard to accomplish something like that and to get back there is our goal."
Quick Hitters
Favorite television show: Grey's Anatomy
Favorite band: NEEDTOBREATHE
Favorite teammate: Mallory Eubanks
Favorite team to face: Ole Miss
Superstition: Sitting on the left side of the bus
Biggest fear: Snakes
Biggest pet peeve: Being late
Pregame ritual: Eat a granola bar
Goal after college: Become a physical therapist
Players Mentioned
F
/ Soccer
F
/ SoccerSOCCER | Lipscomb Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, November 15
SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman and Players Press Conference vs. Lipscomb
Saturday, November 15
SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman and Zoe Main Media Session
Saturday, November 15
SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman Media Session
Monday, November 10