March 15, 2010
By Erin Campbell
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Not only is Tiffany Lane (Moreno Valley, Calif.) the all-time leader for triples in the UCF record books, she has also stamped her name in the Conference USA book for most career triples, and it is only five weeks into her junior year.
For anyone who has ever watched Tiffany play, they know that she is one of the fastest and most explosive players in Black and Gold. So, what goes through her mind when she knows she has made solid contact with the ball? Start up those wheels!
"First, I look to find where I hit the ball. Then, my brain just tells me to run and get to as many bases as I can," Lane said. "As I am rounding second, I make sure to find the ball again and, if I feel like I'm in the clear, I make that last sprint to third."
Her record setting three-bagger came in UCF's loss to Maine on March 9, a bittersweet night for the junior.
"It felt pretty good to hit that triple and break the record," Lane said after the game. "It would have felt a lot better if we were able to pull out the win, but I was just really glad that I was able to do it while my parents were in town to see it."
The Conference USA record comes as no surprise to those who have been following this standout's career. In her debut season, Lane broke the UCF single-season record with seven triples. But, in her sophomore campaign she one-upped herself and not only claimed the program's season record, but also tied for the national lead with eight triples in 2009. Coming into her junior year, she had already set herself up nicely for the record.
"I was pretty excited [about being close the record], because there were seven other girls, who are seniors, that were one less than the record," Lane said. "But, I was excited because I was coming into the season as just a junior and put myself on track to break it this season."
Surprisingly enough, Lane doesn't hold any high school records for triples. She only started to "swing away" when she arrived at UCF.
"I was a slapper in high school. My coach only wanted me to use my speed to get to bases. But when I got to UCF, [Renee Luers-Gillispie] let me bat and hit away. I continued to get stronger and stronger and that has helped with my ability to hit the ball father."
So far this year, Tiffany has posted six triples, pacing the C-USA record at 21. She hopes to continue the tally the rest of this conference season and give herself a comfortable lead for her senior year, where she will, assuredly enough, continue to live life in the fast lane.
Fans can catch more UCF softball action this Wednesday at the UCF Softball Complex when they take on Drake.
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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