Jan. 28, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - With the Knights' 2009 softball season quickly approaching, the UCF Athletics Communications staff recently caught up with the upperclassmen on this year's squad to chat about the excitement leading up to the team's Feb. 6 season-opener at the ASU Kajikawa Classic. The Knights will square off with Texas Tech early in the day, before taking on defending national champion Arizona State in the nightcap.
In the third of seven installments, senior outfielder Lexi Gresham (Fresno, Calif.) gives her thoughts on what the team is trying to accomplish this season and her favorite things about playing softball at UCF.
What do you see as your role on the team this season?
"Being a senior, I want to be a leader on and off of the field. I also want to be more vocal and hopefully have an impact on the team in winning another Conference USA championship."
What are your individual and team goals for the 2009 season?
"As a team, I think that we are more than capable of winning each conference series and winning the league championship again. Individually, I want to have an errorless season in the outfield again and hopefully hit .300."
What do you think is unique about this year's team?
"We all get along really well. There really aren't any cliques at all. Everybody is kind of like a family. We all hang out on and off of the field, so I guess for a bunch of girls to hang out all of the time and get along with each other is pretty unique."
Why did you decide to play softball at UCF?
"Mostly because of the academics. I really wanted to major in hospitality management and UCF has a great program. I also thought that the coaches were really fun people to be around."
What is your favorite thing about playing softball at UCF?
"One of my favorite things is all of the perks that we get. We get a bunch of free stuff! It's really cool because we get free attire and equipment, so we don't really have to do any shopping while we are here. And, the facilities are awesome. They are better than a lot of other colleges."
What is your favorite UCF softball memory?
"Winning the Conference USA Championship on Houston's field."
How would you define UCF softball?
"We are a big family. There are a lot of girls on the team that are from out of state and don't get to see their families very often, so it's nice to have a big family here at UCF. We really support one another both on and off of the field."
What would you tell someone that was contemplating coming to UCF to play softball?
"That they definitely need to make the decision to come here, because the facilities are amazing, the support group and support staffs are outstanding and it's a great place to play. We have a lot of fun."
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to www.UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit www.UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
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