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Fourth-year pitcher and co-captain Whitney Holstun and the Virginia softball team return to action in Atlantic Coast Conference play this weekend when the team welcomes NC State to The Park for a three-game series. Action begins at 1 p.m. Saturday with a doubleheader and the first contest will be broadcast on ACC Select. The series closes at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Question: ACC play continues this weekend. What do you have to do to be successful in this league?
Holstun: We have to do the little things. We have to play our game and put it all together. Defense, Offense, and Pitching.
Question: As a captain, how do you help keep the team motivated?
Holstun: I try to lead by example. I do all I can to keep myself motivated, and I try to make sure no one gets too down on herself. I try to notice if someone is becoming frustrated and nip it in the bud.
Question: What have you learned from the new coaching staff and how would you describe their impact thus far?
Holstun: It’s definitely a different and more pleasant atmosphere this year. Coach (Schmidt) is awesome, she is an alumna, and she has expectations that are realistic and attainable. We just have to work harder to meet them.
Question: What is your favorite memory of playing softball at Virginia?
Holstun: There are way too many. There was one morning when we were lifting (at 6 a.m.) and we did something wrong. (Strength and conditioning coach) Ed (Nordenschild) had warned us that if this happened we would run the rest of the time. It was raining, it was dark, and we were in the McCue parking lot running sprints up the hill. It’s a strange favorite memory, but I felt like we were hardcore!
Question: When will you graduate and what are your plans for the future?
Holstun: I will graduate in December of this year. I will have both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in health and physical education in teaching. I plan on returning to San Diego, and hopefully find a job teaching P.E. somewhere.
Question: What advice would you give future UVa softball players?
Holstun: Give it your all. Live it up because it’s over before you know it.