NCSA caught up with softball standout Kiley Dick about her high school career and the opportunity to compete at the college level.
NCSA: What motivates you before a big game or tournament?
Dick: I watch the other team warming up and get motivated by how they do and my dad usually tells me before each game to keep my head in the game and to swing hard at good pitches. Also I have ritual where I take my hand out of my mitt and wipe it on my shirt before every pitch.
NCSA: What are you looking forward to, if and when you get the opportunity to play on a collegiate level?
Dick: I can't wait to meet new people and just get into better competition.
NCSA: Why did you get involved in the sport of softball?
Dick: I played baseball until i was 8 and my pap told me i should move onto softball instead of playing with the boys so, my mom found me a league and i have loved it ever since.
NCSA: Tell us about your interactions with college coaches so far. Are you building strong relationships with coaches, surprised about where the colleges are from, who you are hearing from? Any funny or interesting anecdotes?
Dick: I am just starting to here from college coaches, one coach told me keep hitting, and keep that swing!
NCSA: How are your team(s) doing so far? (Club teams, high school teams)? Any challenges this season? How are you excelling personally, how does that compare to previous years?
Dick: My high school team did very good we placed 2nd in Mountain Athletic Conference. We had many challenges because, our school doesn't care much for softball so, we have to work hard to win and show how good we can be because, the teams in the past have never been very good. I am excelling personally by working at home in the back yard on my hitting and practicing hitting off speed balls.
NCSA: What are your goals, athletically, academically and in your community, for the rest of the school year? Are you looking to improve your speed, skills, acing a course? Have you already accomplished your goals?
Dick: One of my all time goals would be to hit 2 home runs in a game, my dad has told me many stories of how he hit a few home runs a game, so now i want to do it twice as bad. Another goal of mine would be to hit above .500 for my high school/club teams for my high school career (which i have so far). My athletic goals would be to get straight A's, and make high honors for all 4 marking periods. Also, I would like to make the grades to get into a college on an academic scholarship as well as a athletic scholarship. My goal for my community if to do at least 30 hours of community service throughout the summer.
NCSA: Tell us about what you've learned since being with NCSA. Have you learned about how to talk with coaches? Have you learned some rules on playing at the next level? What's the biggest take-away you have from your experience here?
Dick: I have learned how to talk to colleges coaches and how to fill out questionnaires. I have seen that I have to practice to make myself the best I can be.
