Dara Semmartin

Class:
Freshman
Position:
D
Height:
5-7
Hometown:
Buenos Aires, Argentina

2024 (Fr.)

Appeared in all 18 games, all starts
Selected to VaSID All-State first team
Named to All-BIG EAST second team
Honored on BIG EAST All-Tournament team
Named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week on Nov. 4
Garnered inclusion on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll (Oct. 22)
Garnered inclusion on NFHCA National Academic Squad
Finished season with two goals, 11 assists (most on team, most ever by a Liberty freshman in a season), 15 points and 18 shots (four on goal)
Ended year 1-of-1 on penalty stroke attempts
Finished third in the BIG EAST and 10th in the country in assists per game (0.61)
Tallied two assists against three opponents (Appalachian State, Quinnipiac, James Madison)
Scored Liberty’s lone goal in the BIG EAST Championship semifinal round against top-seeded and No. 10-ranked Connecticut
Notched first collegiate goal in 9-0 home BIG EAST win over Quinnipiac on Oct. 18
Tallied first career point, an assist, in Liberty’s 2-1 double overtime triumph over Indiana in the season opener (Aug. 31)

Prep

Graduate of Brick Towers College
Helped Brick Towers finish first in the LIDE (Student Sports League)
Member of Brick Towers squad which took third place at the Jesus Maria Tournament
Played at the club level for three different teams since 2010, most recently with El Club St. Catherine’s (2022-24)
Played for Club Náutico Hacoaj from 2019-21
Competed for Club Arquitectura from 2010-18
Won the AAHBA Title with for Club Náutico Hacoaj in 2018
Served as a team captain for for Club Náutico Hacoaj
Selected to play for the selection Buenos Aires (SUB14) and won another title
Called up to train a few times with the Argentinian U21 Junior National team
Played for the first division with El Club St. Catherine’s and helped the squad qualify for the Top10 Tournament

Personal

Daughter of Alejandro Semmartin and Paul Palermo
Birthday is Jan. 25
Intends on majoring in information technology – data networking and security

Student-Athlete Q&A
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
I chose Liberty because it’s the best place in the US to play juego level of field hockey and also have a great academic career. I love the atmosphere here at liberty because we are a huge family and as an international player we need that.

Is there anything special you do pregame or postgame and why?
I’m not there yet. The season hasn’t started so I would repeat everything I do when we have the first win of the season.

Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
One person that really inspires me is myself because all the things that I had to go through to be here today. But also, my dad because he sacrificed a lot in his life and I really admire that.

What is your most memorable athletic moment/accomplishment?
I think that the best moments in the field are when you accomplish something that you were practicing a lot and the joy that it makes is incredible. So I would say that every time I did something that I practiced on the week were great memories for me.

Favorite meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and what is that special meal?
Sushi is my favorite food.

What is the first app you check on your phone each day?
I open Instagram.

What is your favorite hobby outside of athletics?
Making social media videos is my favorite hobby.

Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Luciana Aymar and Kobe Bryant.

What is your favorite possession and why?
A medal that my coach gave me when I was ten years old because when he gave me that he said that I need to return that to him when I made it to the national team. And that he only gives this to the best players, it’s very special to me.

What is your Go-To karaoke song?
Baby by Justin Bieber.

What is your dream vacation spot and why?
Italy is my dream vacation; I just love the beaches there.