April 30, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF softball team will be hosting its final regular-season game of the 2009 season Sunday at the UCF Softball Complex against Conference USA-foe UTEP. But, the contest will not only serve as the last home game of 2009 for the Knights, but will also serve as Senior Day, the last game in the careers of seniors Lexi Gresham (Fresno, Calif.), Magon Paul (Virginia Beach, Va.), Lindsay Dean (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Breanne Javier (Castaic, Calif.).
Members of the UCFAthletics.com staff recently sat down with Dean to get her feelings about the end of her career at UCF.
Talk about your past four seasons at UCF
"The past four seasons have been really great because I have been lucky enough to play most of the games. My time at UCF has been really fun and a huge positive in my life."
What is your favorite memory of your time at UCF?
"Winning the Conference USA Championship and then going on to Regionals to play Florida. Beating the Gators on their home field was also great because they had not lost there all season."
What is something you will be able to take away from your experience as a Knight?
"I think the best part about being a Knight was all the traveling and things that we were able to do. Things that most normal people are not able to experience, like going to Hawaii, Las Vegas and Arizona. A lot of people do not get that opportunity, so it was really nice to travel and see other parts of the United States."
What does Senior Day mean to you?
"That softball is over. We are getting to that age where we have to move on and start life. I have had a great time and now it is time to start something new."
Do you think Sunday's game will be emotional for you?
"Definitely! I already know that I am going to be crying. I am sure that my parents will be crying too. It is the last hoorah before I am done with softball."
Who would you like to fill your shoes next season?
"Abby. She will be the starting catcher next season and she needs to take charge of the infield and outfield. I think that she will go out there and be a leader."
What has been the most rewarding part of being a senior this season?
"Having the underclassman look up to me and see me as a leader out on the field. It was also rewarding having them follow me as an example to them."
What legacy would you like to leave for your teammates?
"I just want everyone to keep going out on the field and having fun with each other. I want them to play for themselves and not worry about the things going on around them and just have fun."
What are your plans after graduation?
"Well, I am getting married in March and I am also going to follow up my education. I plan to get certified in medical transcriptioning and hopefully get a job in medical billing."
The UCF softball team will play its final C-USA series of 2009 against UTEP at the UCF Softball Complex on May 2-3. The series gets underway with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. on Saturday, before concluding with a single game Sunday at Noon.
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.
-UCF-