Story Links
Sophomore Allee Rife and the Virginia softball team open up Atlantic Coast Conference action this weekend against Boston College at 1 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday at The Park. Rife, a pitcher, recently sat down with VirginiaSports.com to chat about opening ACC play, what inspired her to study nursing and her favorite pitch to throw.
Question: The team is on a 10-game winning streak and undefeated at home. What do you attribute that to?
Rife: We have all been working very hard. The team chemistry is there; we have great leadership and our first-years have really stepped up and contributed.
Question: Are you ready to start ACC play this weekend?
Rife: I am really excited. I think it’s going to be a good starting point for us in the conference and it will be a good measurement to see where we are. There is always good competition in the ACC and you have to be on your toes every game. I think we are excited to show people we are coming out to play this year and we are going to be competitive.
Question: Has this season been smoother now that you have a year under your belt?
Rife: I know the routine better. I can read Coach (Schmidt) better and I have a better feeling of when I’ll be going into games. I am a lot more mentally prepared this year, whereas last year it sort of jumped up on me.
Question: How do you get mentally prepared to go into a game?
Rife: You just have to tell yourself that you’re going in and just slow things down.
Question: What has Coach Freitager brought to the pitching staff?
Rife: She has made a big difference. She fixes things and has us try new pitches. If things aren’t working, she offers new suggestions and ideas. There has been a lot more teaching and learning as far as the pitchers go, and I think every one of us has improved.
Question: What do you think of the new field?
Rife: Love it! Last year the balls hit in the outfield would jump off divots and rocks. It’s such a great playing surface for us.
Question: Why did you choose to come to UVa?
Rife: I fell in love with the area as soon as I got here. I love the school and the academics. I am studying to be a nurse and there is really no better place for that.
Question: Why do you want to be a nurse?
Rife: I have a younger sister who was born four months premature. She weighed a pound. I spent three months in the hospital with her so I got to be around the neonatal intensive care unit. I fell in love with it and it inspired me to be a neonatal intensive care nurse.
Question: What has been your favorite class at UVa so far?
Rife: Lifespan development because I love learning about babies and children and how they think and develop.
Question: What do you like to do for fun?
Rife: Play Quiddler. I am superb at Quiddler. Pitt (Alison Pittman), the English major, thinks she can beat me, but really, I get more words than her. And Javy (Cynthia Javaras) stands no chance. We also went to a lot of Virginia basketball games this year, and we just went to lacrosse. And football in the fall.
Question: How did you get started playing softball?
Rife: I played baseball with my brother when I was younger. Then my dad asked if I wanted to try softball. He taught me how to pitch and I just loved it. It’s a game of failure. No one is perfect.
Question: What is your favorite pitch? What is your best pitch?
Rife: Knuckleball is my favorite. I just learned it and I love it. Drop curve is probably my best pitch because it is a natural motion for me.
Question: What are your goals for the season?
Rife: Just be better than last year. Be better than last game. Improve on everything, whether it is when I go in to pitch or pinch hit.