TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

You broke your hand in March and actually reentered the lineup less than a month later, with a cast still on your hand. How is the hand now and how tough was it for you to play with a cast on?
The hand is still not fully healed, but I’m doing the best I can with it. At first, playing with a cast on was tricky, because I obviously didn’t anticipate it, but I was willing to do whatever to play. It was tough being thrown back into it coming back from an injury like this, but I’m trying the best I can.

This year, you opened up the season with three trips to Florida, where you played, among other tough competition, third-ranked Tennessee. What was it like playing against that tough competition early?
I always like it better. I always like playing ranked teams and I think it makes me, personally, more focused. I think, overall, as a team, we were a little nervous, but it’s always exciting.

Freshman Erin Zilka has started off her career in fine fashion, as she has led the team with six home runs and a .319 average. What has her performance meant to the team, especially with the injuries the club has had?
It’s been huge. She’s really stepped up big-time. Her attitude and her intensity is definitely needed. She’s going to be a big part of this team.

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?
It was really exciting, especially when we won our last game to guarantee our slot. That was huge and it marked a big step for our program, so hopefully, it can keep going up.

Two years ago, the softball field was renamed Nan Harvey Field. How important was it for the team to recognize Nan Harvey, a former assistant athletic director at UB, for her contributions to the program?
I think it was really important because she did a lot. I only knew her for one year, but I felt like I known her forever, just because of the way she made everybody feel and the work that she did.

You tied the school-record in stolen bases last season with 15. What is the key to getting a stolen base in softball?
It’s all about timing. You have to time the pitcher’s wind-up. Every pitcher is different, so you kind of have to check it out and get a good leadoff.

In your player profile in the 2005 Softball media guide, it says that you want to become a physical education teacher. Do you see coaching in your future?
Actually, I am going for my master’s in social work instead. I had a change of heart. I do really want to coach. I enjoy coaching a lot, especially younger kids. I like seeing them develop and grow.

You are from Union-Endicott High School, a school that has produced several UB athletes, including five baseball players and your former teammate, Ann Magur. How nice is it to be able to go to college and compete with many of your former classmates from high school?
It’s really cool, because I don’t think a lot of people get to do that. Our high school is very strong in baseball and softball, so it’s really cool to come here and see so many familiar faces on the college level.

You chose UB over Connecticut, Cortland, Delaware and St. John’s. What made coach Marie Curran’s team the right fit for you?
I wanted to come here and help build the program. I really like the campus and what the school had to offer. I already knew Ann, so I think that was a big part of it, too.

What has been your favorite moment as a student-athlete at the University at Buffalo?
Probably just the times with the teammates. I’ve been on teams all my life, so I think having that is definitely important. We always have a good time together. Last year winning the game to go to the MAC Tournament was a moment I’ll never forget because it’s never happened here, so just being with the girls and sharing all that good stuff.

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