Sports
Thursday, April 16, 2015
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Woollard adds pop to softball’s offense Chris Loggins Staff Writer T @NSSportsLoggins
DeKalb | Freshman softball infielder Alaynie Woollard has been a workhorse, starting and playing in 37 of 38 games for NIU this season. In 101 at-bats, Woollard has hit for an average of .228 with three doubles, a triple, seven stolen bases, 21 runs batted in and an impressive eight home runs, which is second on the team. Coming from New Castle, Ind., Woollard began playing baseball Alaynie on her dad’s little Woollard league team at Freshman infielder 8 years old. She didn’t make the move to softball until she was 12. She eventually had a travel coach who let her know of the Huskies’ interest in her. “As soon as I got on campus I knew NIU was where I was supposed to be,” Woollard said. “I loved the girls, facilities and coaches right off the bat.”
Q: With less than a month left in the season you guys are [near] the top of the MAC West. What are you looking forward to for the rest of the season? A: I am really looking forward to the MAC Tournament. I have been dreaming about getting a ring for a long time now, and we can definitely do it this year. I am also looking forward to playing [Ball State]. Since it is so close to my hometown a lot of my family is going to be there. Q: How much pressure is there to stay consistent throughout an entire season as a first-year player? A: There is a good amount of pressure throughout the season to stay consistent. Being a younger player you want to perform so that your teammates have confidence in you and trust you.
Q: Even in losses, coach [Christina] Sutcliffe has had ... high praise for the team and has been supportive of you. What’s it like knowing that she’s there for the team? Q: You’ve quietly become a staA: It’s awesome knowing that ple in this lineup. What do you your coach supports you wholecredit your improvement to? heartedly through thick and thin. A: I definitely give credit to my coaches and teammates. From the Q: What’s surprised you most very first practice in the fall they about the team in your first year? have pushed me to be my best and What has it been like vs. what have never let me settle. your expectations were? A: I expected there to be more Q: In your freshman year you’ve separation between the older girls gotten the opportunity to play and freshmen when we came in. with a lot of first-year players But, when we got here everyone was who go through many of the same very accepting and welcomed us struggles. How have you gotten into the family with open arms. through the hurdles together? A: It’s great to have people Q: What do you see as your role around you who understand what on the team? you are going through. My class is A: My role is to play and do whatreally close, and we are very sup- ever my team needs me to. I try to portive of each other. be a leader on and off the field.
In Brief
Youel earns MAC weekly distinction
Sprin
Northern Star staff
DeKalb | Women’s tennis senior Nelle Youel was named MAC Singles Player of the Week, the conference announced Wednesday. This marks the fourth time this season and ninth time in her career Youel earned the weekly honor. Youel stretched her undefeated start in singles play to 18-0 with a pair of victories this weekend. She beat Ball State’s and Western Michigan’s No. 1 singles players. Youel owns the program record for career Nelle Youel singles victories Senior (87), career doubles victories (74) and career combined victories (161). She set records in all three categories this season. In addition to being 18-0 in singles play this season, Youel is 11-2 at No. 1 in doubles play. Youel will have a chance to tack on two more wins to each of those categories when NIU takes on the Akron Zips and the Buffalo Bulls on the road this weekend.
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