Nansemond River High School senior field hockey player Ariana Samuel has signed her national letter of intent to play at Christopher Newport University in the fall.

Ariana Samuel has had a good career as a field hockey player at Nansemond River and will further her career at Christopher Newport University. Samuel, a first-team All-Conference 10 player back in the fall, has been committed to the school since October. She signed her letter of intent in a special ceremony at Nansemond River Thursday afternoon.

“CNU had everything I needed,” Samuel said about her college decision. “It has everything from a variety of majors, small class sizes and a lot of chances to travel. Their field hockey program is incredible, and I love how the team is a family.”

Before deciding to go with CNU, Samuel also had interest from Roanoke College, Bridgewater College, Belmont Abbey College and Arcadia University. It also helps that CNU is close to home. Samuel is familiar with the coaching staff, as they have watched her play for a club team that practices at their facility.

“It just felt like home there, and everything fell into place,” Samuel said. “They have been familiar with who I am since ninth grade. It helped me feel comfortable committing there.”

There are two current Suffolk natives on the CNU field hockey team, and one of them is Ashley Hiltabrand who is a 2016 graduate of Nansemond River. Hiltabrand has given her old teammate advice throughout her process. Samuel’s parents also played a role in her recruitment, just wanting the NRHS senior to pick wherever she felt comfortable.

“She told me to make sure I still love the school even without field hockey just in case of an injury or something,” Samuel said. “I am a student-athlete and being a student comes first.”

Samuel feels like her strong work ethic can be an asset to the CNU program. Though she has not decided on a major yet, she is deciding between accounting, pre-physical therapy and pre-law. This season, she had 22 goals and eight assists.

CNU went 14-5 this season.