Talk about your travel softball organization and how it has helped you…

I play for Suncats Jimenez, a competitive travel organization that has given me some of the biggest opportunities of my softball career. It has allowed me to play at the highest levels and compete against some of the best teams and players in the country.

I joined (the) Suncats when I was 13 (years old) after playing recreational softball and realizing how much I wanted to challenge myself and see how far I could take the game I love.

(The) Suncats has been so much more than just a team to me. It has helped me grow as a player, but even more importantly, it has helped shape the values, work ethic and standards I hold myself to today. I’m really grateful for the people and experiences this organization has given me and for how much it has helped me grow both on and off the field.

Tell us about your high school team (Hollister High). How did you do and what are your plans/goals this season?

My high school team has always been a really important part of my softball experience. As a captain, I have the opportunity to lead my teammates both on and off the field. I’m known for being hardworking and humble and I always want to elevate not only my own game, but also the people around me.

My goal this season is to help my team compete for a state championship while continuing to grow in every part of my game. More than anything, I want to continue to be someone my teammates can count on, make the most of every opportunity we have together and finish the season knowing I gave everything I had for my team.

Tell us about your experience at PGF Nationals?

PGF Nationals was a much different experience for me than in previous years. An Achilles injury I suffered at the end of my high school season followed me throughout the summer and limited my playing time, but I made sure to make the most of every opportunity I had.

When I was able to play, I had some clutch hits and made some big plays, but I also tried to make an impact through my communication, energy and presence on the field. The experience taught me that there are always ways to contribute to your team, even when you aren’t able to be on the field.

Can you talk about Sept. 1st and your recruiting journey?

During my first year of 14U, I started attending college camps to get comfortable with the environment and learn how the recruiting process worked. By my freshman year, things started becoming more serious. College coaches were coming to watch our games and I began receiving invitations to smaller, more private camps from several programs.

The summer leading up to September 1st of my sophomore year didn’t go exactly as I had planned. I was dealing with an Achilles injury that limited my playing time, which was difficult because I knew how important that summer was for recruiting. Instead of focusing on what I couldn’t control, I tried to make the most of every opportunity I did have. Whenever I was able to play or attend a camp, I wanted coaches to see who I really was as a player and how much I loved competing.

As September 1st got closer, I was definitely nervous, but I also felt confident knowing I had put in the work and done everything I could to put myself in a good position.

My first call that afternoon was from Coach Aubrey Leach at Tennessee. That conversation eventually led to more conversations with Coach (Karen) Weekly and the rest of the staff and then an official visit to Tennessee.

During my visit, I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with the coaching staff. Coach Weekly welcomed my family and me into her home for dinner, which was really special because it allowed us to get to know each other beyond softball. The next morning, we met with the entire coaching staff and talked more about the program, my future and how they saw me fitting in at Tennessee.

When Coach Weekly offered me the opportunity to become a Lady Vol, I was completely overwhelmed. I had a hard time holding back my emotions because playing in the SEC had been a dream of mine since I was a little girl.

It was one of those moments when everything I had worked for suddenly felt real. Tennessee felt like home. I had other visits scheduled, but in my heart, I knew I didn’t need to take them. I knew where I wanted to be, so I told the coaches right there that I wanted to be a Lady Vol.

What was the most important thing you learned at college softball camps?

One of the most important things I learned from attending college camps was how to interact with coaches and other players and build relationships.

When I first started going to camps, I was really nervous and sometimes too scared to talk to people, so I mostly kept to myself. I pushed myself to attend more camps and challenged myself to talk to more people each time.

Over time, I became much more comfortable and confident. Now I’m able to have great conversations with coaches and connect with current players and other campers.

That growth was really important throughout my recruiting journey because I learned how important it is to be yourself and let coaches get to know you as a person, not just as a softball player.

Why did you choose to commit to Tennessee?

I always knew my goal was to play at the highest level I could and I had always dreamed of playing in the SEC. But when I chose Tennessee, it was about so much more than softball.

Tennessee is a strong university academically and I know the program would not only help develop me into the best player I can be, but also prepare me for life outside of softball and after college.t

One thing that really stood out to me compared to other programs I had been in contact with was how much Coach Weekly and the coaching staff believe in giving their players the freedom to pursue what they’re passionate about academically.

They don’t put limits on what you can study or what you can become. That really meant a lot to me because I want to be surrounded by people who encourage me to dream big in every part of my life.

Coming from California, Tennessee is more than 2,000 miles away from home, so finding a place that truly felt like home was really important to me. I knew I needed a strong culture, great people and an environment where I felt welcomed and supported.

From the beginning, Tennessee gave me that feeling. The coaching staff is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. They’re extremely hands-on and genuinely care about their players, not just as softball players but as young women and people.

Tennessee is everything I dreamed of finding in a softball home, the people, culture, academics, family atmosphere and opportunity to compete at an elite level. I knew I had found a new home at Tennessee.

What can you tell us about the kind of coaches you will have at Tennessee?

The coaches at Tennessee are honestly some of the most genuine people I met throughout my recruiting journey. From my very first camp, I immediately felt comfortable around them and felt like I could be myself.

They’re very hands-on and truly care about getting to know their players and helping them grow. Seeing the current players interact with the coaches off the field also gave me a real look at who they are as people, not just as coaches, and I loved what I saw.

Their coaching style really stood out compared to the other camps I attended. Every coach and staff member I met from Coach Weekly, Megan (Rhodes-Smith), Coach (Ehren) Earleywine and Coach Leach to Director of Operations Laura Dukes showed me the qualities and values I was looking for in a program.

They all bring different personalities and strengths, but they share the same core value of family and that really stood out to me.

What’s your best piece of advice for younger players at the beginning of their recruiting journey?

My biggest piece of advice is to be yourself and never feel like you have to change who you are for recruiting. Let coaches see your personality, character, work ethic and what makes you different.

Most importantly, don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s. I’d also remind younger players to never let the game become bigger than themselves. Remember why you started playing in the first place. You play because you love the game, not because you have to.

As we get older and the game becomes more competitive, that can be easy to forget. Play for yourself, stay confident, don’t let other people bring you down and never lose the love for the game that made you start playing in the first place.

What do you plan to major in or study when you get to college?

I’m still undecided on my major, but I know I want to do something where I can help people. I’ve been interested in healthcare, but I’ve also thought about sports psychology because I really enjoy the mental side of sports and the idea of helping athletes.

What’s your favorite subject to study in school?

My favorite subject in school is history. I’ve always been really interested in it and I have a pretty good memory for dates, important events and things like that. I usually do really well in the class, but I also genuinely enjoy learning about history and going to class.

What’s your favorite book to read and why?

One of my favorite books is “The Champion’s Mind” by Jim Afremow. I really like it because it focuses on the mental side of sports and how your mindset can affect your performance.

As an athlete, I think that’s really interesting because I’m always trying to improve not only physically, but mentally as well. I like how the book talks about staying confident, handling pressure and not letting one bad moment affect the rest of your game. Those are things I can relate to and actually use in softball.

What’s your favorite hype song and why?

My favorite hype song is probably “My Boo” by Hitman’s Club Mix. I love it because it instantly puts me in a good mood and gets me hyped. It’s just one of those songs that has a really good vibe for me. I always enjoy listening to it and it definitely gets me excited and ready to go.

What’s your favorite movie and why?

My favorite movie is probably “The Notebook.” I’ve always really liked movies that have a meaningful story and actually make you feel something and I think this one does that really well.

I like how the story shows how strong a connection between two people can be and how they continue to care about each other through everything. It’s definitely one of those movies that sticks with me after I watch it.

What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why?

My favorite TV show to binge is probably “Modern Family.” I’ve watched it so many times that my family actually gets annoyed with me because I’m always putting it on.

I just love how funny and relatable it is and there are so many different personalities that make every episode entertaining. Even though I’ve seen most of the episodes multiple times, I still laugh at them. It’s definitely my go-to show when I’m relaxing.

Do you have a secret talent?

A secret talent of mine is that I can usually recognize a song really quickly, even if I’ve only heard a small part of it. I’m pretty good at remembering songs and can usually figure out what they are within just a few seconds.

— Carlos Arias, Line Drive Media (Follow Carlos on Instagram @los_stuff)