When
Hailey Repreza arrived at Morehead State University, it wasn't just the soccer program that drew her in—it was the feeling she got the moment she stepped on campus. "The environment and the energy from the team was just electric and vibrant," she said. "Not only was the energy from the team amazing but the outside factors, such as being in a national forest, is an unreal experience."
Choosing Morehead State felt like choosing a second home. The combination of a close-knit team and the natural beauty surrounding the university sealed her decision. For Hailey, it wasn't just about playing soccer; it was about finding a place where she belonged, on and off the field.
Growing up in Huntington Park, California, Hailey was used to sunshine and warmth. Kentucky's winters introduced her to a whole new challenge. "Playing in Huntington Park compared to playing in Kentucky is completely different because I am not used to playing in the freezing cold," she said. "The temperature was a big change for me because I didn't know how to manage my body during a game."
Despite the cold, Hailey adapted quickly. She learned how to layer up, stay loose, and keep her focus even when her breath hung in the air. The change in climate became a symbol of her growth—proof that she could handle whatever came her way.
As a midfielder, Hailey thrives in the heart of the action. She lives for the moments that shift a game—the well-timed pass, the unexpected through ball, the connection with a teammate. "One of the best feelings as a midfielder during a match is a goal, assist, or giving that perfect through ball that no one else saw," she said.
For Hailey and her teammates, the magic happens when they move as one. "We love when we work and communicate as a team, especially when we double team and end up winning the ball," she said. "Overall, working as a team to be successful is one of the best feelings."
Starting college as a freshman can be overwhelming, but Hailey found comfort in her teammates. "Being a freshman comes with many challenges, however, you have a team to fall back on," she said. "The team did a great job of taking me in. They were very nice and supportive through it all. If you had any question, they had an answer. They never made you feel like you didn't belong. To this day they don't."
One of her favorite moments of the season didn't happen during a game—it happened after. "Our talks after the game," she said. "Whether it was a win or a loss, at the end we still came together as a team and we went down as a team. It was always a reminder that win or lose, we do it as a team because we are a family."
Hailey's drive doesn't stop at soccer. She's equally passionate about her future in medicine. "I am very passionate when it comes to my education," she said. "I have a dream about becoming a doctor and I am going to make sure that I live out my dream."
That determination comes from someone special. "Someone that motivated me to get me where I am now was my grandpa, who every day pushed me to become the best version of myself," she said. "He always took me to my training and always helped me train no matter the time of day."
Now, as a Division I athlete, Hailey hopes to inspire the next generation. Her advice to young girls chasing the same dream is simple but powerful: "Push yourself on the days that feel the heaviest because the work you put in that no one else sees is what's going to get you to success."
At Morehead State,
Hailey Repreza is more than a midfielder—she's a teammate, a student, and a role model. She's found a place where she can chase her goals, surrounded by people who believe in her just as much as she believes in herself."
