Q&A
Showing
Wayne native gets her kicks on Orlando’s professional women’s soccer team
INTERVIEWED BY LAURA ADAMS STIANSEN
Q: What was your favorite thing
about growing up in the area?
DRIESSE: When I started playing soccer, I was
only 4 years old, still picking dandelions while
the rest of my team worked to put the ball in
the back of the net. I developed my skills as a
soccer player about two years later, when I
began playing youth soccer at the Boys & Girls
Club of Wayne. As I witnessed my two older
brothers becoming more competitive with the
sport, I couldn’t help but want to follow in
their footsteps. I was 8 when I joined the U-10
Montclair Thunderbolts, which later became
the Pasco Thunderbolts. A few years later, I
decided to change teams so I could play for
one of the most elite clubs in New Jersey
called PDA — Players Development Academy. DRIESSE: Some will simply look at Wayne as
one big town while others might divide it
into Wayne Hills, Wayne Valley or DePaul. As
for me, it was never about what side you lived
on, the school you attended, or a uniform
that was worn. My favorite things about
growing up in the area were the recreational
opportunities provided by places such as the
Boys & Girls Club of Wayne, as well as the
Wayne PAL.
Q: What was your experience
like attending Wayne Hills
High School?
DRIESSE: Wayne Hills High School allowed me
to surround myself with great diversity, as well
as many young talented individuals. It is and
will always be an honor to have been a Wayne
Hills Patriot.
Q: Do you have any advice to
high school and college athletes
who dream of going pro?
DRIESSE: Just because one door closes, it
doesn’t mean another one won’t open. Even
when things aren’t going your way, never feel
sorry for yourself, and never settle. If you love
something that much, your passion will always
defeat those obstacles standing in the way of
your vision.
NICKOLETTE DRIESSE
AGE: 22
HOMETOWN: Wayne
HIGH SCHOOL:
Wayne Hills High School,
class of 2013
COLLEGE: Florida State
University (2013-15), Penn State
University (2015-17)
CURRENTLY RESIDES:
Orlando, Fla.
OCCUPATION: midfielder for
National Women’s Soccer League’s
Orlando Pride
@nikkidriesse
@nickollete_driesse
ACHIEVING HER GOALS Nickolette Driesse (No. 10) played in the Passaic County girls soccer finals at Wayne Valley High School in 2011; was female athlete
of the week in September 2010; and performed for Penn State (No. 23), winning a national championship in 2015.
18
BACK TO SCHOOL 2017 WAYNE MAGAZINE
HILLS:
Q: When did you develop your
skills as a soccer player?