Gianna Miller

Class:
Freshman
Position:
D
Height:
5-6
Hometown:
Collingswood, N.J.

2023 (So.)

Appeared in all 20 games, making 13 starts
Named NFHCA Scholar of Distinction for second straight season
Garnered inclusion on NFHCA National Academic Squad for a second time
Recorded first career shot in Liberty’s 5-0 win over Georgetown, Oct. 27 on the road
Member of Liberty defensive unit which finished No. 2 nationally in goals-against-average (0.91) and No. 5 in the country in shutouts per game (0.40, eight total shutouts)

2022 (Fr.)

Appeared in all 20 games during first season, making one start
Named NFHCA Scholar of Distinction
Garnered inclusion on NFHCA National Academic Squad
Honored on BIG EAST All-Academic team
Earned first career start in Liberty’s regular season finale at No. 14 Old Dominion, Oct. 28
Competed at the 2023 Senior Nexus Championship over the summer

Prep

Graduate of Camden Catholic High School
Earned five awards as a senior: first team all-conference, South Jersey Senior All Star, NJ Seniors to Watch 2021, All South Jersey All Star first team defense and Max Field Hockey Regional Player to Watch
Guided her team to a 21-3 record and state runner-up appearance as a senior while winning a sectional title
Helped the Camden Irish finish No. 4 in the state and No. 20 in the nation in 2021
Made nine combined defensive saves during junior and sophomore seasons for a Camden squad that was fourth in the state and posted a combined 31-5-1 record
Earned several awards during junior and sophomore seasons: first team all-conference defense, New Jersey second team all-group, second team all-conference defense and conference player of the week
Started on the varsity team as a freshman for a 14-win Irish squad
Competed at the club level for Spirit of USA Field Hockey
Helped Spirit of USA to several high finishes, including: 2021 U19 RCC champions, 2020 U16 Pool B first place, 2019 U16 RCC champions, 2018 U14 Disney gold medalist, 2021 U19 NIT Pool A second place, 2020 Disney silver medalist, 2018 U14 NCC silver medalist and 2021 U19 NCC seventh place

Personal

Daughter of Joseph and Kellie Miller
Mother, Kellie, played field hockey at Princeton
Majoring in biochemistry & molecular biology
Birthday is March 22

Student-Athlete Q&A
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
When I visited Liberty, I loved the team culture and knew it was the place I wanted to play!

Is there anything special you do pregame or postgame and why?
For pregame, I braid Anna's hair and play board games. For postgame I go to find some food!

Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
My mom inspires me. She played D1 field hockey and went to Law school and still found time to have and care for a family. I wish someday I could have that kind of balance between family and ambition.

What is your most memorable athletic moment/accomplishment?
Serious answer: Getting to play last season with Beth, Jodie, and Azul in the backfield. They are all incredible players and people and I learned so much from them. Funny answer: When I broke my finger playing defense against Harvard. I didn't know fingers could hurt that much, and it got me out of writing lab reports.

If you picked your jersey/uniform number, why is that number important to you?
I wear 25! I'm a bit of a math nerd and I liked that it was a perfect square.

Do you have any relatives who are playing or have played college or professional sports? (Names, relation to you, what/where they played)?
My mom, Kellie Miller, played field hockey at Princeton University. My grandpop, Bob Maul, played basketball.

Favorite meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and what is that special meal?
Dinner is my favorite meal and the special meal is my mom's chicken cordon bleu.

What is the first app you check on your phone each day?
I watch YouTube in the morning.

What is your favorite hobby outside of athletics?
I love singing, either in choirs or with my family.

Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Chase Utley.

What is your favorite possession and why?
My set of cooking knives. I love to cook and it's so much easier with good knives.

What is your Go-To karaoke song?
You've Got a Friend by James Taylor.

What is your dream vacation spot and why?
I’d love to go to Wyoming because the mountains are beautiful.