VARSITY: SOFTBALL

FRONT ROW (L-R) Sophia Cartafalsa, Sydney Grogan, Ananya Banerjee, Olivia Wilson, Hannah Blackhall, Ramona Cigler, Talia Hawa, Janice Obeng, Janie Williams

BACK ROW (L-R) Head Coach Brittany Banda, Assistant Coach Steve Hawa, Emily Hidell, Caroline Ronek, Avery Bly, Sydney Thune, Ainsley Sullivan, Assistant Coach Jason Keefer, Assistant Coach Marianna Spero

NOT PICTURED Laura Neligan and Jasmine Zheng (managers)

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Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from the playing game.

Coach Banda describes Janie as a tough player whose support of her teammates and dedication to the good of the team make her a natural captain. Janie’s favorite Latin softball moment so far was bonding with her teammates on the overnight trip to Cary this year. If she could leave one gift behind for the program, she’d give them new tees and an improved batting cage. Janie’s advice to younger Hawks is to act confident even when you’re not and tell yourself that you can do it – your mentality has a big impact on how you play. Janie would like to thank her parents for their support and for showing up to every game, and to her coaches for helping her improve over the last four years.

When the team needs a rally call, Emily is usually the one to provide. She is the biggest supporter of her teammates and can be counted on to offer encouragement and support whenever it’s needed. Ready to take on any position without hesitation or complaint, Emily is a true team player. Her favorite Latin softball moment was a recent overtime victory, when the team came together, literally, to celebrate and cheer loudly in one big clump. Her advice for younger Hawks is to stick together with your teammates and lift each one up. A gift Emily would like to leave the team is a combination of determination and positivity. She’d like to thank Coach Spero for guiding her through injuries.

Affectionately known as Olive, she named this year’s overnight trip to Cary as her favorite Latin softball moment so far. If she could leave behind one gift for the team, Olivia would give them a lifetime supply of sunflower seeds. Known for her easy connection with the younger players in the program, Olivia has worked to improve her outfield skills and would like to thank her father for playing catch with her and helping her overcome her initial fear of the ball.