NCSA caught up with softball standout Katie Polley about her high school career and the opportunity to compete at the college level.
NCSA: What motivates you before a big game?
Polley: Before a big game my team listens to music and dances on the bus which pumps me up before we play. My pre-game ritual before I play is to do the same exact thing I did before the last game I won.
NCSA: What are you looking forward to if and when you get the opportunity to play at the collegiate level?
Polley: I am looking forward to meeting new people and stepping up a level when I play at the collegiate level. I always take the opportunity to challenge myself whether it is athletically or academically.
NCSA: Why did you get involved in softball?
Polley: I became involved in softball when I played t-ball at the age of five. I enjoyed it so much that when I turned nine I decided that I wanted to take the opportunity to play fast pitch softball. This love I had for the game never died which is the reason I have always stuck with it.
NCSA: Tell us about your interactions with college coaches so far.
Polley: I have been speaking with many college coaches on the telephone, by email and regular mail. I have found that the strongest relationships I have with coaches is when I have had the opportunity to meet with them or speak to them on the telephone. I am surprised about the amount of interest I am receiving from throughout the United States. I recently traveled from Pittsburgh to Williams College for the Williams Summer Camp. My mom and I couldn’t believe it when we showed up at the camp and one of my friends who I played softball with since fourth grade was there. We had a great time playing together at the camp.
NCSA: How is your team doing?
Polley: My club team just finished off the season with the Pony World Series. We had to overcome losing our number one pitcher, who suffered a hand injury, but we still succeeded and got a lot further then we thought we would. As a result of injuries on our team I was forced to play four different positions. I was extremely proud of my versatility and the way I played in the World Series.
NCSA: What are your goals - athletically, academically and in your community - for the rest of the school year?
Polley: My goals for this upcoming school year are to remain focused towards academics and athletics. I hope to maintain good grades throughout my senior year because I am taking very challenging classes. I also hope to play for the varsity basketball team which will help me with conditioning for softball. I plan to work out over the summer to increase my strength and improver my overall fitness.
NCSA: Tell us about what you've learned since being with NCSA.
Polley: I feel that I am more comfortable talking to coaches with the advice I have received from NCSA. I have also learned that you have nothing to lose by talking to a coach from a school you thought was out of your league and have been pleasantly surprised many times. The biggest take-away I have experienced from NCSA is to be confident when you talk to college coach.
