TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

Last season, your team made the MAC playoffs for the first time ever. What was it like finally being able to play late into May?
I think it was a very exciting and enjoyable experience. We’d never made it to MACs and hopefully, we’ll make it again this year. It’s a great feeling to play in late May.

You open your season with three road trips to Florida. How nice is it to be able to get out of the gym and travel and play outside in late February and March?
It’s great. Obviously, we can’t get out and play softball in Buffalo in the winter. It’s really exciting to go all over the country and play where it’s warm and nice and get out of Buffalo.

On March 9, you play third-ranked Tennessee at the Adidas Tournament. Are you looking forward to getting to play against one of the best teams in the nation?
Yes. It’s exciting. We kind of know what’s going to happen and how it’s going to be. We played them a couple years ago and beat them. That was really exciting. It’d be nice to beat them again.

Last season, the team finished third in the MAC East Division. What are your goals this year for the team with nine letterwinners back?
This season, we have a lot of new players, obviously, but we want to be first in the East Division and win the MAC tournament. Hopefully, we just play a little better than we did last year.

Being a designated player, how tough is it to stay mentally prepared while your team is out on the field?
It’s hard, but it’s something I have to do. I just cheer on my teammates and sit there and concentrate on what I need to do in my next at bat.

You had five sacrifice bunts last season, including a squeeze bunt in a win against Elon. What is the key to getting a bunt down?
It’s very simple, actually, just watch the ball hit the bat. It’s the easiest part of the game.

As a freshman, you were in a car accident that could have ended your playing career. How hard was it for you to work to get back on the diamond?
I think it was probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever done in my entire life. It’s been a very challenging experience and at times, I definitely wanted to give up. I mean, I love my team and UB, so I wasn’t going to stop.

You come from Olympia, WA. What got you to come across the country to play softball at UB?
I love the atmosphere. The girls were incredible on my visit. Obviously, I love my recruiting class and coach (Marie Curran) really made me feel at home.

This year, the athletic department has started to create a buzz like never before. Not only have two basketball games been sold out, but wrestling and men’s soccer also drew record crowds for events. How exciting has it been to be a part of the UB athletics family this year?
I think it’s been very exciting. I think with the new athletic director things have changed at UB tremendously. I think its only going to go up and it’s been a great experience to be a part of UB athletics.

What has been your favorite moment as a student-athlete at the University at Buffalo?
I think my favorite moment as a student athlete was when we played Miami (OH) and we knew that we were going to go to the MAC tournament last year.

- “The 10 Questions With…” feature is compiled by Joe Guistina