WEBVTT
00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:06.879
The true definition of being a lady ball is like loving the person next to you and being that one there for them to love them and believe in them when no one else does.
00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:10.080
And everyone goes through ups and downs in their lives, especially in this time frame.
00:00:10.400 --> 00:00:17.519
Having those people in your corner is something that is very necessary and is what being at Tennessee gives you that one for.
00:01:11.920 --> 00:01:15.439
So please welcome to the Everything Orange Podcast, Ella Dodge.
00:01:15.680 --> 00:01:17.840
Ella Dodge, welcome to the Everything Orange Podcast.
00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:18.480
Thank you.
00:01:18.560 --> 00:01:19.840
I'm so excited to have you on.
00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:24.000
Talk some softball as we kind of wrap up the end of the regular season.
00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:32.079
And it's crazy that April's almost over, but before we get into that, I want to ask a couple of quick questions to get to know you in like 60 seconds.
00:01:32.400 --> 00:01:34.719
My first question for you these are like this or that.
00:01:34.879 --> 00:01:37.120
Walk-off hit or dabbing defensive play.
00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:38.000
Walk-off hit.
00:01:38.159 --> 00:01:40.719
Home run or clutch RBI single.
00:01:41.920 --> 00:01:42.560
Ooh.
00:01:42.959 --> 00:01:46.799
Unless the home runs clutch too, we gotta go with the RBI.
00:01:47.200 --> 00:01:47.599
Great.
00:01:47.840 --> 00:01:50.879
Pitcher's dual or a high scoring game.
00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:52.640
Mmm.
00:01:52.959 --> 00:01:54.319
High scoring game.
00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:56.799
A day game or a night game.
00:01:57.359 --> 00:01:57.920
Ooh.
00:01:58.239 --> 00:01:59.439
I gotta go night game.
00:01:59.519 --> 00:01:59.599
Yeah.
00:01:59.760 --> 00:02:00.480
It's too hot in the day.
00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:02.000
Yeah, so true.
00:02:02.560 --> 00:02:04.560
Turf or dirt infield?
00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:04.959
Dirt.
00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:09.039
FC road environment or home at Sherry Parker Lee.
00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:09.439
Home.
00:02:09.680 --> 00:02:12.719
Pregame hype music or locked-in silence.
00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:14.400
Pregame hype music for sure.
00:02:14.639 --> 00:02:15.439
What do you listen to?
00:02:15.919 --> 00:02:17.360
It's everywhere, honestly.
00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:21.120
Either Emma or McCall's on Ox and you never know what's going to be coming up.
00:02:21.919 --> 00:02:22.879
Anything is fair game.
00:02:23.120 --> 00:02:23.520
Anything.
00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:26.000
Fastball or off-speed hitter?
00:02:26.240 --> 00:02:26.879
Fastball.
00:02:27.120 --> 00:02:29.439
Play in the heat or play in the cold.
00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:30.879
Mmm.
00:02:31.120 --> 00:02:32.800
I sweat way too much.
00:02:32.960 --> 00:02:34.960
But the cold gets I don't like cold.
00:02:35.039 --> 00:02:35.919
I gotta go in the middle.
00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:40.560
I know that was not an option, but I can't do either extreme.
00:02:41.759 --> 00:02:42.719
Okay, last one.
00:02:42.960 --> 00:02:45.759
Extra innings win or a run roll win.
00:02:46.080 --> 00:02:47.120
Extra innings win.
00:02:47.199 --> 00:02:47.360
Yeah.
00:02:47.439 --> 00:02:48.319
I mean, there's some ways.
00:02:48.639 --> 00:02:49.199
It's so fun.
00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:49.919
So fun.
00:02:50.159 --> 00:02:51.039
Okay, great.
00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:52.400
Well, it's crazy.
00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:55.360
We were already just talking about this, that it's literally almost May.
00:02:55.599 --> 00:02:57.840
This season feels like it's flown by.
00:02:57.919 --> 00:03:00.960
Has it felt as fast for you all this season as well?
00:03:01.120 --> 00:03:02.000
Yeah, it's crazy.
00:03:02.080 --> 00:03:04.240
I mean, I just I look up and I'm like, oh, it's March.
00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:05.039
Oh, it's April.
00:03:05.120 --> 00:03:07.599
Oh, it's literally May next week or whatever it is.
00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:08.960
Like, it's so fast.
00:03:09.039 --> 00:03:09.680
I don't even know.
00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:12.240
The team had a bye week this past weekend.
00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:16.639
How were you able to use that time to recharge mentally, physically?
00:03:16.719 --> 00:03:19.919
Did you do anything to like enjoy your bye weekends?
00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:20.719
Yeah, just rest.
00:03:20.800 --> 00:03:22.400
We want some to do some shopping.
00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:22.879
Nice.
00:03:23.120 --> 00:03:25.280
Like just recovery, whatever it is.
00:03:25.360 --> 00:03:28.080
But I mean, my roommates and I were on the couch watching softball holidays.
00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:29.599
That's awesome.
00:03:29.759 --> 00:03:30.000
Yeah.
00:03:30.159 --> 00:03:32.400
Wait, so who do you all live with?
00:03:32.639 --> 00:03:34.000
Then what's the vibe at home?
00:03:34.159 --> 00:03:36.240
Yeah, I live with Emma, Mac, and Tay.
00:03:36.319 --> 00:03:36.879
So fun.
00:03:37.360 --> 00:03:37.520
Yeah.
00:03:37.680 --> 00:03:39.759
We're it's so fun living together.
00:03:40.319 --> 00:03:45.280
We can be chill, but we're also like always in the living room watching weird, like Mac.
00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:50.639
Somebody Mag Mac always puts on this um Kevin Yang.
00:03:51.199 --> 00:03:51.599
Whatever.
00:03:51.680 --> 00:03:52.400
I don't know why.
00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:54.159
Wait, what's the what's that YouTube show?
00:03:54.400 --> 00:03:55.919
It's like the Kevin, Kevin Lang.
00:03:56.000 --> 00:04:00.080
Oh Kevin Lang is somebody Magmac always that YouTube show on.
00:04:00.479 --> 00:04:02.479
And it's just always something funny going on.
00:04:02.639 --> 00:04:03.199
Oh my gosh.
00:04:03.360 --> 00:04:06.960
You're like our house if you want entertainment because we put it on 24-7.
00:04:07.199 --> 00:04:07.520
Oh yeah.
00:04:08.240 --> 00:04:13.199
The team right now is sitting at 38 and 7 overall and 12 and 6 in conference play.
00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:17.360
What stands out to you about this group and the season that you guys have had so far?
00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:21.040
Yeah, I mean, we're a younger group, but we don't let that stop us.
00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:23.839
We just kind of embrace the growth that we have to go through.
00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:28.720
And we started off really hot and then we kind of hit like a little rough patch and we're still working through some of those things.
00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:36.800
But I think it's really cool to see just us work together to grow through those things and um not read into it too much, honestly.
00:04:36.959 --> 00:04:48.160
I mean, sometimes you can step back and be like, oh, like you're not doing as well, or this and that, but it's like, no, like it's all a part of the journey, and even everyone's journey is gonna be different than you kind of expect it to be.
00:04:48.240 --> 00:04:48.399
Yeah.
00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:51.439
Everyone's it's all gonna be different than what you planned for it to be.
00:04:51.519 --> 00:04:54.399
So just kind of leaning into that growth and just taking it one day at a time.
00:04:54.720 --> 00:05:03.519
What are some of the lessons that Coach Weekly is kind of in real time helping you guys through to navigate the challenges that you guys have had?
00:05:03.759 --> 00:05:17.120
Just kind of like taking a step back and in the moment, like kind of recognizing what's going on and then not just identifying the problem, but finding a solution for it and like the specific steps that it takes to reach that solution, not just like being like, Oh, this is what we need to do.
00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:17.839
Now let's go do it.
00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:20.079
It's like, no, like what are the little things that we need to do?
00:05:20.240 --> 00:05:24.079
And then kind of when we do find success, still being intentional on those little things.
00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:27.759
It's not success, isn't just gonna happen, it's gonna take the focus on the little things to get there.
00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:33.439
So just kind of in the moment, stepping back, noticing what's going on, and then being intentional about those steps.
00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:40.720
We are in the midst of Alabama Hate Week, a double Alabama hate week between baseball and softball.
00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:53.600
For those that are wanting some really great competition in Knoxville, you can catch baseball Thursday through Saturday, finish up at baseball, and then watch softball Saturday afternoon all the way through Monday.
00:05:53.759 --> 00:05:54.399
It's amazing.
00:05:54.480 --> 00:05:56.800
The vibes are so high right now on campus.
00:05:56.959 --> 00:06:01.519
What are you most looking forward to about this opportunity with a great competitor coming into town?
00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:03.199
Yeah, I just think it's so cool.
00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:09.360
I mean, home environment, first of all, like playing Alabama in general, but just being at home doing it.
00:06:09.439 --> 00:06:11.439
I just think that's it's just gonna be so much fun.
00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:18.079
Everyone's families are coming into town, and then just they're doing amazing this year, and like it's just gonna be such a great competition.
00:06:18.319 --> 00:06:21.360
It's always fun to go in and just play a great game.
00:06:21.519 --> 00:06:22.879
So I'm really looking forward to it.
00:06:23.120 --> 00:06:30.639
It's a top 10 matchup in the regular season, two winning cultures when it comes to SEC softball, two dominant pitching staffs as well.
00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:37.519
What's the benefit of having such elite competition like this to help prepare you guys before we turn the page to the postseason?
00:06:37.680 --> 00:06:48.879
Yeah, kind of just putting that pressure on ourselves, like acting like we're in postseason, being like, okay, like this is super regional, is you winner, you go home, and just kind of just putting yourself in that situation already to learn how to play with that pressure and play free in it.
00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:52.240
Do you like a Saturday through Monday series?
00:06:52.720 --> 00:06:54.720
Is it like something to get used to?
00:06:54.959 --> 00:06:56.319
I mean, I don't really care.
00:06:56.480 --> 00:07:05.519
Okay, but at the same time, like it throws me off a little bit, especially when we're like done with the Monday game, and then we get back here and I'm like, oh shoot.
00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:08.720
Like we got back last week and I literally was I asked my room and I was like, it's Monday, right?
00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:10.000
She's like, dude, it's lately Friday.
00:07:10.079 --> 00:07:10.319
Like, no.
00:07:10.480 --> 00:07:11.040
You're like, no.
00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:12.480
It's like, okay, perfect.
00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:13.439
Kind of glossed.
00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:17.439
I mean, it's not that big of a difference until it's like, it just feels a little different.
00:07:17.519 --> 00:07:19.120
But I mean, honestly, it's just a game.
00:07:19.279 --> 00:07:20.720
So it's like, right, right.
00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:28.240
And I would imagine, like, also the spotlight of like a Monday ESPN primetime night slot is also really exciting as well.
00:07:28.399 --> 00:07:29.439
Like, that's the good part of it.
00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:30.000
That is fun.
00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:30.800
That is the fun part.
00:07:31.600 --> 00:07:31.759
Yes.
00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:35.519
Yes, which is really exciting that with this matchup you have the opportunity.
00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:40.959
Then Tennessee will end the regular season with the weekend series at Missouri before preparing for a postseason run.
00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:48.639
What is the focus between now and May 5th when the SC tournament begins that you want to fine-tune before you get there?
00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:52.079
Yeah, I mean, obviously, just our offense, honestly.
00:07:52.399 --> 00:08:01.519
Because our pitchers are doing good, they're attacking, and I think we're just continuing to grow on like staying in routines, focusing on our process, just like those little things, honestly.
00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:01.759
Yeah.
00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:05.680
But just continuing to like grow, I guess.
00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:06.639
Kind of like let it happen.
00:08:06.720 --> 00:08:17.360
I mean, everyone goes to ups and downs, little slumps here and there, but yeah, um just still learning how to play free, even if things aren't going your way, is honestly my perception of it.
00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:25.759
When you look at this conference and how stacked it is, there are six teams in the top 10 and 11 teams in the top 25.
00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:33.840
How would you describe being able to go up against a top competition every single weekend in the SEC?
00:08:34.080 --> 00:08:41.200
So that when it comes to the postseason, it's like this is nothing new because we've been facing these tough opponents all season long.
00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:43.600
Yeah, it's literally postseason every weekend.
00:08:43.679 --> 00:08:49.600
So it's it's getting used to um you're not playing for stats, you're not playing for those things.
00:08:49.679 --> 00:08:51.200
Like you're up against the best competition.
00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:53.919
It might not be the best stats, it might not be the best anything.
00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:57.679
It's it's truly just like fine-tuning you as a competitor every weekend.
00:08:57.759 --> 00:08:59.360
And it's like, okay, what are you gonna do?
00:08:59.440 --> 00:09:04.080
What are you gonna turn to when like you don't have a great weekend or you don't have a great outing, or someone has your number?
00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:09.279
It's like, what teammate are you gonna be, or how are you gonna be the more of a competitor the next time you come up to the plate?
00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:11.200
And less about, oh, let's feel good every weekend.
00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:12.720
Let me show you how good of a player I am.
00:09:12.799 --> 00:09:14.080
Like, no, we all know we're good.
00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:14.480
Right.
00:09:14.799 --> 00:09:15.519
That's literally why you're here.
00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:16.639
Why we're here, right?
00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:20.000
Yeah, and like if if I don't get it this weekend, like my teammate's got my back.
00:09:20.080 --> 00:09:22.320
If I don't get it next weekend, I know my other teammate has my back.
00:09:22.399 --> 00:09:30.080
And it's it's more about um, how can you continue to show up even when the competition is so good and maybe they do have your number that weekend?
00:09:30.320 --> 00:09:36.559
So just learning how to do that, and because you you could be prepping all year for one swing of the season that could help your team, right?
00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:38.159
And like that's the only swing that truly matters.
00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:40.639
But it's like, can you like mentally stay in there?
00:09:40.799 --> 00:09:42.240
Yes, and not give in.
00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:44.000
Yes, yeah, just keep competing.
00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:50.080
Tennessee earned series wins over LSU, Mississippi State, South Carolina, and Kentucky so far.
00:09:50.240 --> 00:10:02.879
Looking at those series wins, what does that say about this team's ability to handle different styles, whether it's power hitting, elite pitching, like gritty, grinded out games, what does that say about this team being able to get it done in different ways?
00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:05.759
Yeah, just knowing that we have everything we need.
00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:09.759
And when we go out there and play Tennessee softball, no one can beat us.
00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:23.840
And just knowing that when we do lose, like we're beating ourselves, like we're getting ourselves out, we're doing those things, which I think is should still give us a lot of confidence, knowing that like if we're not getting the job done, it's because we're preventing ourselves from doing it.
00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:24.080
Yes.
00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:33.200
And um just going out there and continuing to compete every single day, but also knowing that like whether we're home or away, and no matter who the opponent is, like it doesn't matter, we're just gonna go out there and play Tennessee softball.
00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:44.639
With the two series losses this season um between Florida and Ole Miss, what were the takeaways from those situations, knowing that you were still right there in those games?
00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:47.360
They weren't these large blowout losses.
00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:53.759
I think like Florida, when we look at that, we had a lot of um defensive like mishaps, I'm pretty sure that weekend.
00:10:53.840 --> 00:11:05.360
And then just both those series in general, like in general, like reflecting after each game, even when we did win in our post-game circle, like we weren't really sat we weren't satisfied with that because it was not Tennessee softball.
00:11:05.600 --> 00:11:16.559
And just knowing that yes, it may look like we're right there, but we still know we have so much more in the tank tune.
00:11:16.799 --> 00:11:23.919
It's like, no, we don't want to just get by, even if we do win, like we still aren't happy if we don't play up to our standard, if that makes sense.
00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:28.159
But just knowing that there's always still more in there and like just never settle.
00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:28.799
Yeah.
00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:32.000
How does this team approach those situations?
00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:43.200
And like, what are you guys doing to lean on one another, um, to support one another and and push each other when you know that the person to your left or to your right still you believe in them and know that they have more to give?
00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:59.600
Yeah, I think knowing I guess if you look at the beginning of the season, like where we were doing like in social media's eyes very well, uming that like our outcomes aren't necessarily like a result of just like, oh, we're going out there and playing.
00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:01.600
Like, no, like we had like processes that we were going through.
00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:04.799
So just reflecting on like, okay, what are the little things that make you successful?
00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:20.320
And now you continue to do those, and just knowing that we all have each other's backs, and knowing that even if you're not doing well, like I still believe in you, and if you are doing well, I still believe in you, and all those things, and just knowing that um you're not gonna get it every time, and that's just software.
00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:22.000
Yeah, it's a game of failure, yeah.
00:12:22.320 --> 00:12:23.759
And that's why you love it too, right?
00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:29.600
Yeah, um, you did bring this up, but I need to emphasize this again because it is pretty incredible.
00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:37.840
The historic start to this season, 26 and oh, and also a unanimous number one ranking after the second weekend down in Clearwater to start the year.
00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:41.360
What did that moment feel like internally as a team?
00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:43.600
And and how were you guys able to stay grounded?
00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:54.000
Kind of you had mentioned it, and I know other girls that I've talked to have also mentioned it about blocking out that noise because it at the end of the day, it's not what people are saying outside the program, but what's happening inside the program.
00:12:54.399 --> 00:13:08.240
We watched one of the games the other day, like certain clips of it, and the emphasis was look how much joy we were playing with, and look how genuinely happy we were for each other, and look how much synergy there was and how connected we were and all those things.
00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:14.960
And um obviously it's not, oh, just go out there and have fun, but like in the end, like this is a game.
00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:18.799
Like go out there, have fun, compete, and that's and playing free.
00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:22.960
I guess the the moral of that is to play free because you can't control the results.
00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:26.879
And if you're playing scared to mess up and scared to fail, then you're never gonna get anywhere.
00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:35.440
So just going out there, competing, giving everything you have, being excited to succeed, not afraid to fail in those situations, it's like go out there, play with joy, be where your feet are.
00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:43.200
And I think that's what we did very well at the beginning of the season, and now um I kind of fell away from that a little bit, a little bit trying to control too many results and things like that.
00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:43.600
Yeah.
00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:45.679
And that's where we're trying to get back to.
00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:53.919
And as the weeks, you know, start to get closer and closer to the postseason, and this team chases a tenth appearance in the women's college world series.
00:13:54.159 --> 00:14:02.080
What what is this team, what is this message that this team is trying to send right now about who Tennessee softball is as you guys get ready for what's to come in May?
00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:02.480
Yeah.
00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:05.039
Just remembering we we're not trying to prove anything to anybody.
00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:08.639
We don't need to go out there and try to change the ranking people's minds.
00:14:08.720 --> 00:14:14.480
We don't need to go out there and try to prove the Instagram comments wrong.
00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:16.000
Like that's not why we're playing.
00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:20.559
Like it there's we barely look at it if we look at it at all.
00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:23.679
And we're not trying to prove anything to anybody but ourselves.
00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:30.639
We don't need to go out there with anyone in mind but each other, and just knowing that like whoever's across the field doesn't matter.
00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:36.159
So just continuing to go out there, taking it day by day, and just remembering who we are, and there's so much evidence.
00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:38.720
That's what Tay and I were talking about a little bit.
00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:43.360
She uses the word evidence to remind herself, like, no, you're good enough to be here, and there's so much evidence around you.
00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:52.240
So just remembering that as a team in general, like there's so much evidence uh within each other that we can look to just to show you, like, I got you, and we're the best team here.
00:14:52.480 --> 00:15:00.720
I want to talk now about freshman Ella compared to sophomore year, Ella, because your batting average is up, your slogan percentage is up, your on base percentage is up.
00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:04.559
Where have you seen your game grow the most from last season to this season?
00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:06.559
Yeah, last season's just coming in.
00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:17.279
Um I was a freshman, obviously, and I think the biggest thing for me was kind of like middle of freshman year.
00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:26.000
I was getting a little bit too like mental in the way of like trying to control results and like frustrated or too emotionally attached to them.
00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:32.320
And I was able to grow like end of the freshman year and just like no, just go compete.
00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:33.200
You can't control it.
00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:37.360
And batting average doesn't matter, all these things don't matter, you just have to go up there and compete.
00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:50.799
And um, I was able to like come into this year with that mindset, and that's just I mean, it makes all the difference and just knowing that like you can't control the results, just control what you can retro what you can control and just go out there and compete.
00:15:51.039 --> 00:16:02.559
I want to talk to you about the super regional from last season, because it seems like you almost like built off of that momentum personally, because if people didn't know the name Ella Dodge heading into the super regional weekend, they sure did afterwards.
00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:16.480
That diving, but backhanded defensive catch you had and throughout out to first and the two home runs that you had as well, like it was such an impressive outing for you where it looked like we got to see like who Ella Dodge was on the field.
00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:28.879
How did that moment help grow your confidence at the end of a freshman season when you were learning a lot, kind of like you mentioned, to be able to take that and say, like, I can do it and build off of that into sophomore season?
00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:42.799
Yeah, I think last year, like knowing like that's the player I am and have always been, and maybe in freshman year when I'm trying to earn my spot, not letting um that like kind of I would say I was a little bit too mental about that.
00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:45.360
And like that kind of messes with your confidence a little bit.
00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:56.799
And I think knowing this year, like, no, nothing can take that confidence away, and just going out there with no, I know who I am, I know how I can play, and I'm gonna do it right now, like just mindsets everything, honestly.
00:16:57.440 --> 00:17:02.639
What is your thought too on how pitchers are approaching you now this season compared to last season?
00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:06.480
And and how have you adjusted to that as well when you're at the plate?
00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:14.240
Yeah, I think obviously there's more film on me because freshman year, you don't have as much on you, or if you don't play as much, you don't have as much on you, whatever it is.
00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:20.559
But I think for me, just knowing that um you still got to throw it by me, like those things, like not reading into it.
00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:22.400
Like I go up to the plate, simple plan.
00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:26.559
I'm attacking, I'm hitting this ball, I'm getting the crap out of it, whatever it is.
00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:29.119
Like, yeah, I don't go up there thinking, oh, how are you gonna pitch me?
00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:29.680
What are you gonna do?
00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.079
This and that.
00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:34.960
It's like, no, like I have one pitch I'm looking for, and every pitch is mine until I trust my eyes to tell me it's not.
00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:40.000
Because once I start thinking a little bit too much, that's when that's when it gets a little bad.
00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:50.079
So just keeping it simple and knowing that, okay, I'm gonna prep, I'll have an idea maybe of where where the pitch is gonna attack me, but in the end of the day, um, I'm going up there and finding a pitch I can drive and going for it.
00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:53.519
What stands out to you the most about like your sophomore season as a whole?
00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:57.279
Yeah, just stepping into a bigger leadership position this year than I was last year.
00:17:57.440 --> 00:18:06.880
Um, I've always been a leader like on every team I've been on, and just kind of finding my footing and finding my place last year, and there were a lot more um leadership roles.
00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:08.319
Uh Boo was here last year.
00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:14.960
Like they're just people who who had uh we followed in their footsteps and they they were our leaders and they set the way for the team.
00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:27.039
And then this year, that being me a little bit more in this in that position this year, and just embracing that and learning how to be a better leader for my teammates, but also learning how to um kind of just go go about that.
00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:37.759
And I guess I say go about that in the right ways, and um knowing that like just the little things that go with leadership that you can't learn until you're in the position, honestly.
00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:38.480
Of course, yeah.
00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:42.880
Well, we can't talk about Tennessee softball without talking about your head coach because she is such an icon.
00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:44.400
We love Coach Weekly.
00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:50.799
How much has she helped in your development as both a person and uh player when it comes to the game of softball?
00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:54.240
Yeah, um she's gonna tell you what she needs to hear.
00:18:54.400 --> 00:19:00.319
She's gonna be direct about it and she's gonna tell you the truth, and even if you're like she's gonna tell it to you.
00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:02.640
And um, it's just what you need to hear.
00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:09.839
And I think too, um, she invests in like the person too.
00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:15.119
It's not just like softball, honestly.
00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:32.240
And like she cares about cares about us as people and she cares about us as students and all those things, and um, she cares about growing us as women and preparing us for life after this sport and all the little lessons that she teaches us every day um that feed into softball just play into life after softball as well.
00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:38.400
So I think she there's always like a message that she's trying to tell us, and uh whatever it is, like I I think it's Cam.
00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:42.400
Cam has like a little book of like little sayings that she says that she really likes.
00:19:42.559 --> 00:20:02.799
And but I think that's the biggest thing that that I take away from that is she tells you what you need to hear and she's straightforward about it, but also she comes with like wisdom every day in little lessons or little things that um we can take away and like it will reach like even if it's just a little snippet that she doesn't even realize she's saying, like it could stick with somebody and help them.
00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:11.680
She also started in LVFL alumni program, right, this year with you guys um where you guys got paired up with somebody who had been through the program.
00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:14.319
And your mentor was Rainey Gavin.
00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:14.640
Yeah.
00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:19.200
What has that experience been like for you and developing a relationship with her?
00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:20.400
Yeah, she's amazing.
00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:20.880
I love her.
00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:21.599
Oh my gosh.
00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:31.839
She um, I think like the program in general is so cool because before it, I mean, I wasn't really like connected with the alumni, if that makes sense.
00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.319
Yeah.
00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:38.480
I mean, there's some people who I knew or I knew of or things like that, but there was never that real like connection.
00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:50.880
But like since forming that connection with Rainey and then just like meeting other people, there's just like it just I would say it gives you like a greater sense of greater reason to play, honestly.
00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:56.079
Like that sounds so not like cheesy, but like genuinely, it it's really cool.
00:20:56.240 --> 00:21:00.240
Like it it feels it's really cool to play on the same field that they played on.
00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:04.960
Like I practiced the other day, we do like our breathing and reflection and all those things, and I was just feeling grateful.
00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:09.039
I was like, whoa, like, because another person I'm really close with is Tori Lewis.
00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:13.599
And I met her through Rainey, and um, so Rainey and Tori, I love them.
00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:15.519
And I was like, oh my gosh, this is so cool.
00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:17.759
Like they played on this field too, like this exact field.
00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:23.440
Like it's not a new field, like, no, like they played here too, and they've been through the things I'm going through, like the good and the bad, and all those things.
00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:34.160
But I just think it's so cool because um they both honestly have given me so much advice that and are the person that maybe they once needed in in this time.
00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:40.799
And it's just it's just really cool that they can be that person for me and like I can genuinely trust what they're saying.
00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:44.720
And like Rainy the other day, like I literally FaceTimed her and I was like, Okay, please tell me.
00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:47.039
Can you just I'm like, Can you just listen to me, please?
00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:50.880
And she I texted her and she was like, Um, I'm at my voice soccer game.
00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:52.559
Can I call I can do it right now?
00:21:52.640 --> 00:21:53.839
Or I can call you when I get home.
00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:55.440
I was like, okay, just call me when you get home.
00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.880
But she's awesome.
00:21:56.960 --> 00:21:59.759
I absolutely love her, and I just think it's so cool too to see like them get.
00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:01.039
Giving back too.
00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:09.279
And it's like it makes you feel special too, knowing that they want to spend their time helping you because they were also ones in your in your position.
00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.640
So I just think it's super cool.
00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:11.599
It is super cool.
00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:21.359
And it also speaks like the sisterhood of the Lady Vol softball program as a whole, which like for you as a player here currently, like we all know like that sisterhood, that bond is so close.
00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:26.559
How would you describe it for people who like aren't in it to know what it's really like to be a part of it?
00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:29.839
Yeah, I mean, it's just something that you can't really explain, I guess, too.
00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:39.039
I mean, it just gives you an opportunity to connect with people who you you'd have never met before and never have like had the impact or had the opportunity to have them like impact your life.
00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:42.160
And I just think that's so cool that this provides an outlet for that.
00:22:42.319 --> 00:23:00.240
And I think the other thing I just thought of too is like it's super cool to see like their connection too that they still have when they come back from alumni events, with like like they see each other probably like twice a year, but like they're still best friends, and I just think that's so cool to see that connection is always still there because like even my teammates now.
00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:03.359
I'm like, okay, we're never we're not gonna be here every year together.
00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.720
Like, that's kind of sad.
00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.960
What do you mean we're not roommates?
00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.519
Like, what?
00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:20.880
But I just think it's cool to see like that love that they they have is still there, and like they get to be at the field now together and be like, wow, like we did that, we were here for four years together, and that's just something super special that like no one can take away.
00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:30.319
What would you say has been your favorite moment with this specific group of young women and like the memory or the moment that stands out to you the most from the season so far?
00:23:31.839 --> 00:23:36.160
I would say our first two weekends in Clearwater.
00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:40.000
I mean, that was genuinely we were just playing so free and with so much joy.
00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:48.400
And like whether it was a freshman or a senior, like, no matter who was playing, we went out there with confidence and we it was just so much fun.
00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:49.839
Yeah, like there were so many smiles.
00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:53.599
I can like look back and remember like laughing on the field together.
00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:55.359
Not that we don't do that now, I'm not saying that.
00:23:55.519 --> 00:24:01.119
Oh my gosh, I mean, okay, I would say for me it stands out a lot too because that's my hometown.
00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:12.160
Yeah, so my family was in the stands, like and like Rainy, my mentor came the second weekend and I was like, life's great, this is fun, we're winning, like it's softball season, let's go.
00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:21.200
Um, but I just think it was so much fun too, and I think that just stands out so much for me because those first two weekends, like we hadn't played anybody else.
00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:27.279
Like we were just so happy to be on the field playing somebody else and not scrimmaging each other at Sherry Parker League.
00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:30.960
Like we were so ready to just go compete, and I think that's what stands out to me.
00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:32.640
It's not the win, it's not any of that.
00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:35.599
It's like, no, we were so excited to finally get out there.
00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:38.720
You mentioned that you're from Florida.
00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:40.960
You're the youngest of six.
00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:41.759
Yes, right?
00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:43.119
Yes, unbelievable.
00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:46.960
I can only imagine what the Dodge household was like growing up.
00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:48.160
Break it down.
00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:51.519
What the dynamic of you and all your siblings?
00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:57.279
Uh, how how many sisters, how many brothers do you have, and the age difference, and like where softball came from?
00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:57.920
Yeah.
00:24:58.240 --> 00:25:02.640
So my dad, he had four boys before he met my mom.
00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:03.119
Okay.
00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:08.240
So they're my half-brothers, but they live with us while we were growing up, all these things.
00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:09.599
So they're in their 30s, I think.
00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.000
Okay.
00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:14.400
I laugh because I can never remember how old they are, but they're in their 30s or something like that.
00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:24.079
And then, yeah, so my sister, I have one older sister, and she is 22, and she just got married in January.
00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:26.559
So that was so, so fun, yes.
00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:30.880
And then my I have 11 nieces and nephews.
00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:31.279
Wow.
00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:33.119
Yeah, so I've been an aunt since I was seven.
00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.640
Stop! That's amazing.
00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:36.000
Yes, yes.
00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:39.119
And um, what was the other question you asked?
00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:39.839
Softball.
00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.400
Where did it come from?
00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:41.279
Oh, where did software come from?
00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.480
So my mom played softball.
00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:44.640
Okay, she played at the University of South Florida.
00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:49.440
Well, her first year, she went to West Palm Beach Community College.
00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:52.079
Okay, I think it was a JUCO, but they won a national championship.
00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:56.400
And then after her freshman year, um, she transferred to USF.
00:25:56.880 --> 00:26:00.640
And so that's D1, all the things.
00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:06.559
And they, I think they were one win away from going to the World Series one year.
00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:08.480
And I just say that because that's like super cool to me, too.
00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:10.480
Like my mom almost went to the World Series too.
00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:18.720
So um, and yeah, so she played softball, so she put me in that when I was like little and T ball, whatever it is.
00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:21.440
And um, she was my coach for years, and we love that.
00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:24.079
And some people are like, oh, your mom's your coach, uh, they hate it.
00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:25.680
And I'm just like, no, it was like so much fun.
00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.720
Like we had so much fun.
00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:29.200
There were only a few times where there was some banter.
00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:32.240
Like one time, I'm so calling myself out.
00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:41.119
One time I like struck out or something, and my mom, I was coming back in the dug yard, she was at third base coaching, and she like said something to me because I for sure I struck out looking.
00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:42.319
It was a terrible event.
00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.759
I literally remember it.
00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:49.279
And she was like, she said something to me, and I was like, stop talking to me, don't talk to anybody else anyway.
00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:50.720
And she was like, Go run.
00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:52.640
And I was like, no.
00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:59.119
So the the way the field worked, there was no like around home plate, there weren't any any stance.
00:26:59.200 --> 00:26:59.359
Okay.
00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.400
Ever was in the outfield.
00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:00.640
Okay.
00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:09.359
So she wanted me to run around that field where all the parents were, and I was like, So I took off and went around the other field where there was not even a game, there were no parents, and she was like, Did you even run?
00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.480
I was like, Yep, over there.
00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:11.920
Yeah, and she was like, I do.
00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.839
I'm just like, I'm done with you.
00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:19.200
Yeah, I just remember it, but it was it was so much fun, and I just think it's such a cool connection to have.
00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:23.519
And I went on a I'll talk about other schools and visits and stuff.
00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:32.640
Like one of my visits I went on was at USF, but it was just such a full circle moment because my the my mom's coach when she played there is the same coach.
00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:35.200
No way, so it was it was really cool, yeah.
00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:37.920
Well, go kind of kind of then switching gears from that.
00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:45.839
Like, what was it about Tennessee that made the Florida girl want to go out of state, move up to Knoxville, Tennessee, and find a home here?
00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:54.559
Yeah, I mean, just coming here, like from the second I came on campus, like just seeing how um much of a family environment it was, and um, it was just special.
00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:56.880
And I just it just felt like home when I came here.
00:27:57.039 --> 00:28:01.359
And um like the little things that Karen does too within the program.
00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:04.960
Like when I came to practice, like when we circle up, everyone's feet are touching.
00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:06.240
There's A for Y at the end.
00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:15.200
There's just as like a standard of excellence that is not a priority in a lot of other places or isn't instilled properly, and I just think that that is such a cool standard to have.
00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:31.680
And like as a player in person, I want to be pushed as much as I can, even on the hard days, and I can just see that I could see that that's exactly how Tennessee was, and being here, like that's a how it is, and that's I'm very thankful for that because not a lot of people go somewhere and it's exactly what they thought it was gonna be.
00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:37.920
And I mean, obviously, there's differences for people, but um, the good moral of it, yeah.
00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:47.200
Um, not everything is exactly how you see, but but that part of it was, so I was very thankful for what you thought you were gonna get is what is panning out to be your experience in Tennessee, which is amazing.
00:28:47.599 --> 00:28:52.960
Um, I wanted to say too, you won two state titles when you were in high school as well playing softball.
00:28:53.200 --> 00:29:05.759
How did that like competitive spirit and that winning culture that you'd helped develop at your high school help you now translate into getting your first women's college world spirit women's college world series experience in your freshman year here at Tennessee?
00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:11.680
Yeah, so I was very thankful too because my a lot of like high school teams aren't amazing.
00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:15.519
It's usually like travel balls where the competitiveness is, where you get recruited, all the things.
00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:18.160
But I was on a very competitive travel ball team, all those things.
00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:21.440
I've just always been competitive my whole life, like no matter what it is.
00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:25.920
Like if I didn't want to do anything when I was little, like my mom would be like, Oh, time you see how fast you can go, go.
00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:27.440
Like, and I was like, Okay, I'm going.
00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:31.680
So I've just always been super competitive in everything that I do, and that's just who I am.
00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:35.200
And um, I was very thankful because my high school team was actually really good.
00:29:35.359 --> 00:29:44.240
And there was uh TJ Gells, he's a very well-known coach in Florida, pretty much just travel ball, all the things a lot of colleges know him and stuff.
00:29:44.400 --> 00:30:02.319
And he was my high school coach, and I had the privilege of him getting kind of getting to mentor me as well when I was younger and um kind of like growing up, and his two daughters played at Florida, and um he was our coach, so we had a great culture and program and all the things, and I was just very thankful uh to be a part of that.
00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:05.519
And I actually wasn't able to play my freshman year.
00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:12.480
I was injured, I had fractured my back, and yeah, that sounds like a lot, but I fractured my back twice actually, back to back times.
00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:19.359
So yeah, in eighth grade, I fractured it and then I came back too soon, got bad doctor advice, and I fractured it again.
00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:19.759
Oh, god.
00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:28.960
And I was out for a long time, but I wasn't able to play my freshman year, so it was just really special getting to come back and play my sophomore year, and I actually pitched.
00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:33.279
So I pitched my whole life and I stopped because of my back.
00:30:33.519 --> 00:31:11.440
So I fractured my back because of like the repetitive motion of pitching, and came back, pitched again, and I was fine, and then I fractured it again, and I came back and pitched still and I like recovered and everything, but um my back just always bothered me, and like I was never able to like fully like practice as much as I wanted to or like give like go basically because like my back was restricting me so much, so I had to stop pitching, and like I was like, okay, I'd rather play softball and do everything with a fine back than try to pitch and be kind of struggling, like I can't really do it fully, and then my back hurts all the time.
00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:23.599
So after senior, uh even like the beginning of senior year high school, I stopped pitching because I knew like I wasn't coming here to pitch, and I was like, okay, thank goodness, A, because my back hurts, and B, like ever since that, my back has felt so much better.
00:31:23.680 --> 00:31:24.960
So I'm very thankful for that.
00:31:25.119 --> 00:31:39.839
But I just think that's also has given me such a good perspective on like being grateful to play because like I didn't know I was gonna be out for so long, so many times in a row, and um just kind of carrying that with me, being grateful to play, and kind of trying to give that into my teammates as well.
00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:43.119
What a unique part about your journey that I had no idea about.
00:31:43.279 --> 00:31:43.519
Yeah.
00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:59.119
I was gonna ask, you kind of touched on it, but like how did that help shape your mindset and your approach to the game of softball when you thought that like so much could be taken away, but instead you were able to channel it in a different way and find you know your happiness within the game in a different area.
00:31:59.359 --> 00:32:00.079
Yeah, yeah.
00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:14.240
I think it's just really cool to be able to truly get to know yourself in a way and like the person and values you're gonna fall back on when everything's going differently than you thought it was going to.
00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:35.119
And and uh really that freshman year of high school was really challenging in that way, but also really cool for me to still have the opportunity to go out there every day and I was like the manager, but it was just I literally was out there, I was charting stuff, I was kind of helping the team instruct certain things on drills and things like that.
00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:48.240
And um, I want to coach softball after, so I just think that was a cool opportunity to put myself in that position and like still find a way to lead an impact even when I'm not on the field and literally can't go on the field.
00:32:48.400 --> 00:32:54.799
So that was super cool, but also just understanding well, one of my friends, Sidney McCrae, she actually plays at Grand Canyon University.
00:32:55.039 --> 00:32:56.240
She's this is her senior year.
00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:58.640
She was also injured with me that year.
00:32:58.799 --> 00:33:03.440
She went to my high school and um she was um she had torn her AC out.
00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.240
So we were both out together.
00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:08.960
So that was super hard, but we did it together and we were like, it's okay, like one day at a time, we got this.
00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:16.880
And I think that relationship, that bond that we formed was really special through that, but also realizing like this is about being a good teammate, so much more than softball.
00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:18.400
Like, this is not about you.
00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:20.720
Show up every day, and now how can I serve somebody else?
00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:23.680
Yeah, and then kind of taking those lessons I learned even while I'm on the field.
00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:25.519
Okay, like how can I still serve my teammates?
00:33:25.599 --> 00:33:35.279
How can I help you and reflect Christ and love you and do all those things, like even when I my life isn't going how I planned for it to go?
00:33:35.359 --> 00:33:35.440
Yeah.
00:33:35.599 --> 00:33:44.160
So I think that's just such a cool, cool reminder that God always has a plan and He He's gotta shape you before you get the blessings, honestly.
00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:48.079
And you're only gonna get shaped into who he needs you to be through through the hard things.
00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:49.839
So are you a vault leader?
00:33:50.079 --> 00:33:50.799
Yes, I am.
00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:56.720
I was like, if she's not already a vault leader, I need to talk to Jess and Kate right now.
00:33:57.119 --> 00:33:57.519
Thanks.
00:33:57.680 --> 00:33:58.240
That's amazing.
00:33:58.400 --> 00:34:01.119
So you're going on the trips to Rwanda this summer.
00:34:01.359 --> 00:34:02.319
Are you going on the June one?
00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:02.960
Yes, I am.
00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:04.799
But you're going?
00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:06.960
Yes, I can cover it for the VFL.
00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:08.960
That's so exciting.
00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:13.119
It's gonna be incredible.
00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:17.920
But like I saw so many qualities like eggs like exuding out of you that I'm gonna.
00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:18.400
Thank you.
00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:20.719
You gotta get her up for the hope she's not there already.
00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:30.960
Um, but I wanted to ask too, like throughout your softball journey and you know, all that you've had to endure, who had the biggest impact on your life growing up?
00:34:31.199 --> 00:34:31.920
Was it family?
00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:34.000
Was it somebody in the in the softball world?
00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:39.920
Like, where where did you find that that mentor or that um inspiration when it came to softball?
00:34:40.239 --> 00:34:45.199
I think honestly, it's been different people throughout a bunch of different stages of my life, which I can go through that.
00:34:45.280 --> 00:34:52.480
But also I think just my constant is my mom and my dad in general, but especially my mom, her playing softball.
00:34:52.559 --> 00:35:03.840
But she's just always been there for me in telling me what I need to hear, but being there to help me, being a shoulder to lean on, hearing me rant, but also being like, all right, you just gotta shut up because you're just being too dramatic right now.
00:35:04.079 --> 00:35:08.880
So just like telling me exactly what I need to hear, and um, we just have a really close connection and close bond.
00:35:09.039 --> 00:35:10.719
So I'm very thankful, thankful for that.
00:35:10.880 --> 00:35:16.639
And um, I just always know she's gonna be there and like her advice and all the things, and we're just super close.
00:35:16.800 --> 00:35:23.920
And it's like it's sex not being at home, but I mean my parents are they get to come up every single weekend pretty much.
00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:25.360
So I'm so thankful for that.
00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:25.599
Yeah.
00:35:25.760 --> 00:35:26.159
Oh my gosh.
00:35:26.400 --> 00:35:37.280
And then I would say too, um just kind of throughout like my travel ball high school years, like I had some really influential coaches and things like that.
00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:43.679
And then um being at uh here at the University of Tennessee.
00:35:43.840 --> 00:35:52.159
I think honestly, like my friends too have been such a such a great outlet for me to grow, but also like kind of point me in the right direction.
00:35:52.239 --> 00:35:56.880
And like last year, one of my best friends, Kinzie Fiedler, she was a senior, she transferred in from Washington.
00:35:57.039 --> 00:36:15.199
Um, she her and I are um very, very close, and we were able to kind of help point each other in the right direction too, and um just point each other towards Christ and just also remind each other, like she had she just had a very good outlet outlook on softball too.
00:36:15.280 --> 00:36:17.039
Like, okay, like you didn't do good, so what?
00:36:17.119 --> 00:36:17.920
Like, let's move on.
00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:18.719
Like, let's go.
00:36:19.039 --> 00:36:19.599
You're fine.
00:36:19.920 --> 00:36:51.360
And just like her perspective on things too really helped me, and um, even like her testimony and and certain things like that, just like form my perspective, and then even my roommates now, like we can bounce ideas off of each other, and it's just super nice to have such mature friends in that way where you can truly trust their advice and and lean on them, and then obviously like Rainey, my mentor, and then Tori, I've recently gotten very close with as well, and just being able to trust their advice is something that like I can't take for granted because not a lot of people have that, and the amount like the amount their advice has impacted me.
00:36:51.440 --> 00:36:53.920
Like, I hope I can impact impact someone at least half that much.
00:36:54.159 --> 00:37:03.119
So over the past two years, too, learning the Lady Vol legacy and what that really means to represent and wear on your chest when you step out onto the field.
00:37:03.280 --> 00:37:07.199
What does that mean to you to embody what it means to be a Lady Vol?
00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:11.519
Yeah, I mean it's representing so much more than yourself, like if anything, that's like last on the list.
00:37:11.599 --> 00:37:24.400
And I just think it it it honors the people who who've come before you and the hard work they've put in and um just being a person to serve others and love others through it all.
00:37:24.719 --> 00:37:32.079
And I think that's the true definition of being a lady of all is is doing that exactly, and um just truly understanding that it's not about you.
00:37:32.239 --> 00:37:41.440
I mean, it's cool to have honors or accolades, or it's cool to be the person in the moment to do well, but in the end of the day, that's not what people remember, and that's not where the true impact lies.
00:37:41.840 --> 00:37:50.480
And like the true, the true definition of being a lady of all is like loving the person next to you and being that one there for them to love them and believe in them when no one else does.
00:37:50.639 --> 00:37:56.320
And I think that's that's the hardest thing because everyone goes through ups and downs in their lives, especially in in this time frame.
00:37:56.880 --> 00:38:06.079
And um having having those people in your corner are is something that is very necessary during that time, and that is what being at Tennessee gives you the outlet for.
00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:25.280
But when you reflect back on the past two years and you think of Ella like stepping onto campus for the first time, visiting Knoxville, seeing what Rocky Top was all about, like what would you say to her about the experience that she's going to have, is having, and is still yet to come these next two years here?
00:38:25.519 --> 00:38:29.360
Yeah, I just think it's I'm I'm a very outgoing person too.
00:38:29.440 --> 00:38:31.599
Like I came here early and everyone was like, Are you scared?
00:38:31.760 --> 00:38:34.239
I was like, no, like I'm excited, I'm not doing am I scared.
00:38:34.400 --> 00:38:35.679
Like, no, I'm not scared.
00:38:35.840 --> 00:38:47.360
And I just think knowing me when I first came, like I was I wanted to grow, I wanted to learn things, but I was also like, let's go, like I'm ready, let's do it right now.
00:38:47.440 --> 00:38:56.639
But I think just the growth that I have had even in such a short amount of time is is really cool because um it there's just so many little things that you can't truly learn without going through them.
00:38:56.880 --> 00:39:05.039
And I think that's the that's the coolest thing about it is like you don't know where you're gonna be in a year, you don't know where you're gonna be in two years or even next week, honestly.
00:39:05.119 --> 00:39:05.760
Like you don't know.
00:39:05.920 --> 00:39:32.320
And I just think the lessons that come every day are really cool in the relationships and the memories that that you get to have, but also knowing that like the joy um in the memories that you have are like so special in once in a lifetime, like no other environment can create like what you have in sport with the people around you and like the hard work you go through together, and just knowing that the struggle in the heart and the long hours and the tears, blood, whatever it is, like it's all worth it for the for the joy that you're gonna have with people around you.
00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:32.960
Yes.
00:39:33.199 --> 00:39:35.119
Oh, this is so good, Ellen.
00:39:35.360 --> 00:39:36.159
This is so fun.
00:39:36.559 --> 00:39:38.159
Thank you so much for the time.
00:39:38.800 --> 00:39:45.519
Get you out of here because you got a big weekend with Alabama coming to town and wrapping up the regular season and just heading into the postseason.
00:39:45.599 --> 00:39:46.000
Good luck.
00:39:46.079 --> 00:39:47.679
We're so excited for you guys.
00:39:49.440 --> 00:39:50.480
Yes, super excited.
00:39:50.559 --> 00:39:51.599
Thank you so much for having me.
00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:06.879
The true definition of being a lady ball is like loving the person next to you and being that one there for them to love them and believe in them when no one else does.
00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:10.080
And everyone goes through ups and downs in their lives, especially in this time frame.
00:00:10.400 --> 00:00:17.519
Having those people in your corner is something that is very necessary and is what being at Tennessee gives you that one for.
00:01:11.920 --> 00:01:15.439
So please welcome to the Everything Orange Podcast, Ella Dodge.
00:01:15.680 --> 00:01:17.840
Ella Dodge, welcome to the Everything Orange Podcast.
00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:18.480
Thank you.
00:01:18.560 --> 00:01:19.840
I'm so excited to have you on.
00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:24.000
Talk some softball as we kind of wrap up the end of the regular season.
00:01:24.159 --> 00:01:32.079
And it's crazy that April's almost over, but before we get into that, I want to ask a couple of quick questions to get to know you in like 60 seconds.
00:01:32.400 --> 00:01:34.719
My first question for you these are like this or that.
00:01:34.879 --> 00:01:37.120
Walk-off hit or dabbing defensive play.
00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:38.000
Walk-off hit.
00:01:38.159 --> 00:01:40.719
Home run or clutch RBI single.
00:01:41.920 --> 00:01:42.560
Ooh.
00:01:42.959 --> 00:01:46.799
Unless the home runs clutch too, we gotta go with the RBI.
00:01:47.200 --> 00:01:47.599
Great.
00:01:47.840 --> 00:01:50.879
Pitcher's dual or a high scoring game.
00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:52.640
Mmm.
00:01:52.959 --> 00:01:54.319
High scoring game.
00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:56.799
A day game or a night game.
00:01:57.359 --> 00:01:57.920
Ooh.
00:01:58.239 --> 00:01:59.439
I gotta go night game.
00:01:59.519 --> 00:01:59.599
Yeah.
00:01:59.760 --> 00:02:00.480
It's too hot in the day.
00:02:00.719 --> 00:02:02.000
Yeah, so true.
00:02:02.560 --> 00:02:04.560
Turf or dirt infield?
00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:04.959
Dirt.
00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:09.039
FC road environment or home at Sherry Parker Lee.
00:02:09.199 --> 00:02:09.439
Home.
00:02:09.680 --> 00:02:12.719
Pregame hype music or locked-in silence.
00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:14.400
Pregame hype music for sure.
00:02:14.639 --> 00:02:15.439
What do you listen to?
00:02:15.919 --> 00:02:17.360
It's everywhere, honestly.
00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:21.120
Either Emma or McCall's on Ox and you never know what's going to be coming up.
00:02:21.919 --> 00:02:22.879
Anything is fair game.
00:02:23.120 --> 00:02:23.520
Anything.
00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:26.000
Fastball or off-speed hitter?
00:02:26.240 --> 00:02:26.879
Fastball.
00:02:27.120 --> 00:02:29.439
Play in the heat or play in the cold.
00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:30.879
Mmm.
00:02:31.120 --> 00:02:32.800
I sweat way too much.
00:02:32.960 --> 00:02:34.960
But the cold gets I don't like cold.
00:02:35.039 --> 00:02:35.919
I gotta go in the middle.
00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:40.560
I know that was not an option, but I can't do either extreme.
00:02:41.759 --> 00:02:42.719
Okay, last one.
00:02:42.960 --> 00:02:45.759
Extra innings win or a run roll win.
00:02:46.080 --> 00:02:47.120
Extra innings win.
00:02:47.199 --> 00:02:47.360
Yeah.
00:02:47.439 --> 00:02:48.319
I mean, there's some ways.
00:02:48.639 --> 00:02:49.199
It's so fun.
00:02:49.439 --> 00:02:49.919
So fun.
00:02:50.159 --> 00:02:51.039
Okay, great.
00:02:51.199 --> 00:02:52.400
Well, it's crazy.
00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:55.360
We were already just talking about this, that it's literally almost May.
00:02:55.599 --> 00:02:57.840
This season feels like it's flown by.
00:02:57.919 --> 00:03:00.960
Has it felt as fast for you all this season as well?
00:03:01.120 --> 00:03:02.000
Yeah, it's crazy.
00:03:02.080 --> 00:03:04.240
I mean, I just I look up and I'm like, oh, it's March.
00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:05.039
Oh, it's April.
00:03:05.120 --> 00:03:07.599
Oh, it's literally May next week or whatever it is.
00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:08.960
Like, it's so fast.
00:03:09.039 --> 00:03:09.680
I don't even know.
00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:12.240
The team had a bye week this past weekend.
00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:16.639
How were you able to use that time to recharge mentally, physically?
00:03:16.719 --> 00:03:19.919
Did you do anything to like enjoy your bye weekends?
00:03:20.000 --> 00:03:20.719
Yeah, just rest.
00:03:20.800 --> 00:03:22.400
We want some to do some shopping.
00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:22.879
Nice.
00:03:23.120 --> 00:03:25.280
Like just recovery, whatever it is.
00:03:25.360 --> 00:03:28.080
But I mean, my roommates and I were on the couch watching softball holidays.
00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:29.599
That's awesome.
00:03:29.759 --> 00:03:30.000
Yeah.
00:03:30.159 --> 00:03:32.400
Wait, so who do you all live with?
00:03:32.639 --> 00:03:34.000
Then what's the vibe at home?
00:03:34.159 --> 00:03:36.240
Yeah, I live with Emma, Mac, and Tay.
00:03:36.319 --> 00:03:36.879
So fun.
00:03:37.360 --> 00:03:37.520
Yeah.
00:03:37.680 --> 00:03:39.759
We're it's so fun living together.
00:03:40.319 --> 00:03:45.280
We can be chill, but we're also like always in the living room watching weird, like Mac.
00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:50.639
Somebody Mag Mac always puts on this um Kevin Yang.
00:03:51.199 --> 00:03:51.599
Whatever.
00:03:51.680 --> 00:03:52.400
I don't know why.
00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:54.159
Wait, what's the what's that YouTube show?
00:03:54.400 --> 00:03:55.919
It's like the Kevin, Kevin Lang.
00:03:56.000 --> 00:04:00.080
Oh Kevin Lang is somebody Magmac always that YouTube show on.
00:04:00.479 --> 00:04:02.479
And it's just always something funny going on.
00:04:02.639 --> 00:04:03.199
Oh my gosh.
00:04:03.360 --> 00:04:06.960
You're like our house if you want entertainment because we put it on 24-7.
00:04:07.199 --> 00:04:07.520
Oh yeah.
00:04:08.240 --> 00:04:13.199
The team right now is sitting at 38 and 7 overall and 12 and 6 in conference play.
00:04:13.360 --> 00:04:17.360
What stands out to you about this group and the season that you guys have had so far?
00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:21.040
Yeah, I mean, we're a younger group, but we don't let that stop us.
00:04:21.199 --> 00:04:23.839
We just kind of embrace the growth that we have to go through.
00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:28.720
And we started off really hot and then we kind of hit like a little rough patch and we're still working through some of those things.
00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:36.800
But I think it's really cool to see just us work together to grow through those things and um not read into it too much, honestly.
00:04:36.959 --> 00:04:48.160
I mean, sometimes you can step back and be like, oh, like you're not doing as well, or this and that, but it's like, no, like it's all a part of the journey, and even everyone's journey is gonna be different than you kind of expect it to be.
00:04:48.240 --> 00:04:48.399
Yeah.
00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:51.439
Everyone's it's all gonna be different than what you planned for it to be.
00:04:51.519 --> 00:04:54.399
So just kind of leaning into that growth and just taking it one day at a time.
00:04:54.720 --> 00:05:03.519
What are some of the lessons that Coach Weekly is kind of in real time helping you guys through to navigate the challenges that you guys have had?
00:05:03.759 --> 00:05:17.120
Just kind of like taking a step back and in the moment, like kind of recognizing what's going on and then not just identifying the problem, but finding a solution for it and like the specific steps that it takes to reach that solution, not just like being like, Oh, this is what we need to do.
00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:17.839
Now let's go do it.
00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:20.079
It's like, no, like what are the little things that we need to do?
00:05:20.240 --> 00:05:24.079
And then kind of when we do find success, still being intentional on those little things.
00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:27.759
It's not success, isn't just gonna happen, it's gonna take the focus on the little things to get there.
00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:33.439
So just kind of in the moment, stepping back, noticing what's going on, and then being intentional about those steps.
00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:40.720
We are in the midst of Alabama Hate Week, a double Alabama hate week between baseball and softball.
00:05:41.120 --> 00:05:53.600
For those that are wanting some really great competition in Knoxville, you can catch baseball Thursday through Saturday, finish up at baseball, and then watch softball Saturday afternoon all the way through Monday.
00:05:53.759 --> 00:05:54.399
It's amazing.
00:05:54.480 --> 00:05:56.800
The vibes are so high right now on campus.
00:05:56.959 --> 00:06:01.519
What are you most looking forward to about this opportunity with a great competitor coming into town?
00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:03.199
Yeah, I just think it's so cool.
00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:09.360
I mean, home environment, first of all, like playing Alabama in general, but just being at home doing it.
00:06:09.439 --> 00:06:11.439
I just think that's it's just gonna be so much fun.
00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:18.079
Everyone's families are coming into town, and then just they're doing amazing this year, and like it's just gonna be such a great competition.
00:06:18.319 --> 00:06:21.360
It's always fun to go in and just play a great game.
00:06:21.519 --> 00:06:22.879
So I'm really looking forward to it.
00:06:23.120 --> 00:06:30.639
It's a top 10 matchup in the regular season, two winning cultures when it comes to SEC softball, two dominant pitching staffs as well.
00:06:30.800 --> 00:06:37.519
What's the benefit of having such elite competition like this to help prepare you guys before we turn the page to the postseason?
00:06:37.680 --> 00:06:48.879
Yeah, kind of just putting that pressure on ourselves, like acting like we're in postseason, being like, okay, like this is super regional, is you winner, you go home, and just kind of just putting yourself in that situation already to learn how to play with that pressure and play free in it.
00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:52.240
Do you like a Saturday through Monday series?
00:06:52.720 --> 00:06:54.720
Is it like something to get used to?
00:06:54.959 --> 00:06:56.319
I mean, I don't really care.
00:06:56.480 --> 00:07:05.519
Okay, but at the same time, like it throws me off a little bit, especially when we're like done with the Monday game, and then we get back here and I'm like, oh shoot.
00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:08.720
Like we got back last week and I literally was I asked my room and I was like, it's Monday, right?
00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:10.000
She's like, dude, it's lately Friday.
00:07:10.079 --> 00:07:10.319
Like, no.
00:07:10.480 --> 00:07:11.040
You're like, no.
00:07:11.279 --> 00:07:12.480
It's like, okay, perfect.
00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:13.439
Kind of glossed.
00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:17.439
I mean, it's not that big of a difference until it's like, it just feels a little different.
00:07:17.519 --> 00:07:19.120
But I mean, honestly, it's just a game.
00:07:19.279 --> 00:07:20.720
So it's like, right, right.
00:07:20.879 --> 00:07:28.240
And I would imagine, like, also the spotlight of like a Monday ESPN primetime night slot is also really exciting as well.
00:07:28.399 --> 00:07:29.439
Like, that's the good part of it.
00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:30.000
That is fun.
00:07:30.240 --> 00:07:30.800
That is the fun part.
00:07:31.600 --> 00:07:31.759
Yes.
00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:35.519
Yes, which is really exciting that with this matchup you have the opportunity.
00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:40.959
Then Tennessee will end the regular season with the weekend series at Missouri before preparing for a postseason run.
00:07:41.439 --> 00:07:48.639
What is the focus between now and May 5th when the SC tournament begins that you want to fine-tune before you get there?
00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:52.079
Yeah, I mean, obviously, just our offense, honestly.
00:07:52.399 --> 00:08:01.519
Because our pitchers are doing good, they're attacking, and I think we're just continuing to grow on like staying in routines, focusing on our process, just like those little things, honestly.
00:08:01.680 --> 00:08:01.759
Yeah.
00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:05.680
But just continuing to like grow, I guess.
00:08:05.920 --> 00:08:06.639
Kind of like let it happen.
00:08:06.720 --> 00:08:17.360
I mean, everyone goes to ups and downs, little slumps here and there, but yeah, um just still learning how to play free, even if things aren't going your way, is honestly my perception of it.
00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:25.759
When you look at this conference and how stacked it is, there are six teams in the top 10 and 11 teams in the top 25.
00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:33.840
How would you describe being able to go up against a top competition every single weekend in the SEC?
00:08:34.080 --> 00:08:41.200
So that when it comes to the postseason, it's like this is nothing new because we've been facing these tough opponents all season long.
00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:43.600
Yeah, it's literally postseason every weekend.
00:08:43.679 --> 00:08:49.600
So it's it's getting used to um you're not playing for stats, you're not playing for those things.
00:08:49.679 --> 00:08:51.200
Like you're up against the best competition.
00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:53.919
It might not be the best stats, it might not be the best anything.
00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:57.679
It's it's truly just like fine-tuning you as a competitor every weekend.
00:08:57.759 --> 00:08:59.360
And it's like, okay, what are you gonna do?
00:08:59.440 --> 00:09:04.080
What are you gonna turn to when like you don't have a great weekend or you don't have a great outing, or someone has your number?
00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:09.279
It's like, what teammate are you gonna be, or how are you gonna be the more of a competitor the next time you come up to the plate?
00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:11.200
And less about, oh, let's feel good every weekend.
00:09:11.360 --> 00:09:12.720
Let me show you how good of a player I am.
00:09:12.799 --> 00:09:14.080
Like, no, we all know we're good.
00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:14.480
Right.
00:09:14.799 --> 00:09:15.519
That's literally why you're here.
00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:16.639
Why we're here, right?
00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:20.000
Yeah, and like if if I don't get it this weekend, like my teammate's got my back.
00:09:20.080 --> 00:09:22.320
If I don't get it next weekend, I know my other teammate has my back.
00:09:22.399 --> 00:09:30.080
And it's it's more about um, how can you continue to show up even when the competition is so good and maybe they do have your number that weekend?
00:09:30.320 --> 00:09:36.559
So just learning how to do that, and because you you could be prepping all year for one swing of the season that could help your team, right?
00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:38.159
And like that's the only swing that truly matters.
00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:40.639
But it's like, can you like mentally stay in there?
00:09:40.799 --> 00:09:42.240
Yes, and not give in.
00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:44.000
Yes, yeah, just keep competing.
00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:50.080
Tennessee earned series wins over LSU, Mississippi State, South Carolina, and Kentucky so far.
00:09:50.240 --> 00:10:02.879
Looking at those series wins, what does that say about this team's ability to handle different styles, whether it's power hitting, elite pitching, like gritty, grinded out games, what does that say about this team being able to get it done in different ways?
00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:05.759
Yeah, just knowing that we have everything we need.
00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:09.759
And when we go out there and play Tennessee softball, no one can beat us.
00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:23.840
And just knowing that when we do lose, like we're beating ourselves, like we're getting ourselves out, we're doing those things, which I think is should still give us a lot of confidence, knowing that like if we're not getting the job done, it's because we're preventing ourselves from doing it.
00:10:23.919 --> 00:10:24.080
Yes.
00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:33.200
And um just going out there and continuing to compete every single day, but also knowing that like whether we're home or away, and no matter who the opponent is, like it doesn't matter, we're just gonna go out there and play Tennessee softball.
00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:44.639
With the two series losses this season um between Florida and Ole Miss, what were the takeaways from those situations, knowing that you were still right there in those games?
00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:47.360
They weren't these large blowout losses.
00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:53.759
I think like Florida, when we look at that, we had a lot of um defensive like mishaps, I'm pretty sure that weekend.
00:10:53.840 --> 00:11:05.360
And then just both those series in general, like in general, like reflecting after each game, even when we did win in our post-game circle, like we weren't really sat we weren't satisfied with that because it was not Tennessee softball.
00:11:05.600 --> 00:11:16.559
And just knowing that yes, it may look like we're right there, but we still know we have so much more in the tank tune.
00:11:16.799 --> 00:11:23.919
It's like, no, we don't want to just get by, even if we do win, like we still aren't happy if we don't play up to our standard, if that makes sense.
00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:28.159
But just knowing that there's always still more in there and like just never settle.
00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:28.799
Yeah.
00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:32.000
How does this team approach those situations?
00:11:32.159 --> 00:11:43.200
And like, what are you guys doing to lean on one another, um, to support one another and and push each other when you know that the person to your left or to your right still you believe in them and know that they have more to give?
00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:59.600
Yeah, I think knowing I guess if you look at the beginning of the season, like where we were doing like in social media's eyes very well, uming that like our outcomes aren't necessarily like a result of just like, oh, we're going out there and playing.
00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:01.600
Like, no, like we had like processes that we were going through.
00:12:01.679 --> 00:12:04.799
So just reflecting on like, okay, what are the little things that make you successful?
00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:20.320
And now you continue to do those, and just knowing that we all have each other's backs, and knowing that even if you're not doing well, like I still believe in you, and if you are doing well, I still believe in you, and all those things, and just knowing that um you're not gonna get it every time, and that's just software.
00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:22.000
Yeah, it's a game of failure, yeah.
00:12:22.320 --> 00:12:23.759
And that's why you love it too, right?
00:12:24.000 --> 00:12:29.600
Yeah, um, you did bring this up, but I need to emphasize this again because it is pretty incredible.
00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:37.840
The historic start to this season, 26 and oh, and also a unanimous number one ranking after the second weekend down in Clearwater to start the year.
00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:41.360
What did that moment feel like internally as a team?
00:12:41.440 --> 00:12:43.600
And and how were you guys able to stay grounded?
00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:54.000
Kind of you had mentioned it, and I know other girls that I've talked to have also mentioned it about blocking out that noise because it at the end of the day, it's not what people are saying outside the program, but what's happening inside the program.
00:12:54.399 --> 00:13:08.240
We watched one of the games the other day, like certain clips of it, and the emphasis was look how much joy we were playing with, and look how genuinely happy we were for each other, and look how much synergy there was and how connected we were and all those things.
00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:14.960
And um obviously it's not, oh, just go out there and have fun, but like in the end, like this is a game.
00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:18.799
Like go out there, have fun, compete, and that's and playing free.
00:13:19.039 --> 00:13:22.960
I guess the the moral of that is to play free because you can't control the results.
00:13:23.039 --> 00:13:26.879
And if you're playing scared to mess up and scared to fail, then you're never gonna get anywhere.
00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:35.440
So just going out there, competing, giving everything you have, being excited to succeed, not afraid to fail in those situations, it's like go out there, play with joy, be where your feet are.
00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:43.200
And I think that's what we did very well at the beginning of the season, and now um I kind of fell away from that a little bit, a little bit trying to control too many results and things like that.
00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:43.600
Yeah.
00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:45.679
And that's where we're trying to get back to.
00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:53.919
And as the weeks, you know, start to get closer and closer to the postseason, and this team chases a tenth appearance in the women's college world series.
00:13:54.159 --> 00:14:02.080
What what is this team, what is this message that this team is trying to send right now about who Tennessee softball is as you guys get ready for what's to come in May?
00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:02.480
Yeah.
00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:05.039
Just remembering we we're not trying to prove anything to anybody.
00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:08.639
We don't need to go out there and try to change the ranking people's minds.
00:14:08.720 --> 00:14:14.480
We don't need to go out there and try to prove the Instagram comments wrong.
00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:16.000
Like that's not why we're playing.
00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:20.559
Like it there's we barely look at it if we look at it at all.
00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:23.679
And we're not trying to prove anything to anybody but ourselves.
00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:30.639
We don't need to go out there with anyone in mind but each other, and just knowing that like whoever's across the field doesn't matter.
00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:36.159
So just continuing to go out there, taking it day by day, and just remembering who we are, and there's so much evidence.
00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:38.720
That's what Tay and I were talking about a little bit.
00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:43.360
She uses the word evidence to remind herself, like, no, you're good enough to be here, and there's so much evidence around you.
00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:52.240
So just remembering that as a team in general, like there's so much evidence uh within each other that we can look to just to show you, like, I got you, and we're the best team here.
00:14:52.480 --> 00:15:00.720
I want to talk now about freshman Ella compared to sophomore year, Ella, because your batting average is up, your slogan percentage is up, your on base percentage is up.
00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:04.559
Where have you seen your game grow the most from last season to this season?
00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:06.559
Yeah, last season's just coming in.
00:15:06.720 --> 00:15:17.279
Um I was a freshman, obviously, and I think the biggest thing for me was kind of like middle of freshman year.
00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:26.000
I was getting a little bit too like mental in the way of like trying to control results and like frustrated or too emotionally attached to them.
00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:32.320
And I was able to grow like end of the freshman year and just like no, just go compete.
00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:33.200
You can't control it.
00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:37.360
And batting average doesn't matter, all these things don't matter, you just have to go up there and compete.
00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:50.799
And um, I was able to like come into this year with that mindset, and that's just I mean, it makes all the difference and just knowing that like you can't control the results, just control what you can retro what you can control and just go out there and compete.
00:15:51.039 --> 00:16:02.559
I want to talk to you about the super regional from last season, because it seems like you almost like built off of that momentum personally, because if people didn't know the name Ella Dodge heading into the super regional weekend, they sure did afterwards.
00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:16.480
That diving, but backhanded defensive catch you had and throughout out to first and the two home runs that you had as well, like it was such an impressive outing for you where it looked like we got to see like who Ella Dodge was on the field.
00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:28.879
How did that moment help grow your confidence at the end of a freshman season when you were learning a lot, kind of like you mentioned, to be able to take that and say, like, I can do it and build off of that into sophomore season?
00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:42.799
Yeah, I think last year, like knowing like that's the player I am and have always been, and maybe in freshman year when I'm trying to earn my spot, not letting um that like kind of I would say I was a little bit too mental about that.
00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:45.360
And like that kind of messes with your confidence a little bit.
00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:56.799
And I think knowing this year, like, no, nothing can take that confidence away, and just going out there with no, I know who I am, I know how I can play, and I'm gonna do it right now, like just mindsets everything, honestly.
00:16:57.440 --> 00:17:02.639
What is your thought too on how pitchers are approaching you now this season compared to last season?
00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:06.480
And and how have you adjusted to that as well when you're at the plate?
00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:14.240
Yeah, I think obviously there's more film on me because freshman year, you don't have as much on you, or if you don't play as much, you don't have as much on you, whatever it is.
00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:20.559
But I think for me, just knowing that um you still got to throw it by me, like those things, like not reading into it.
00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:22.400
Like I go up to the plate, simple plan.
00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:26.559
I'm attacking, I'm hitting this ball, I'm getting the crap out of it, whatever it is.
00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:29.119
Like, yeah, I don't go up there thinking, oh, how are you gonna pitch me?
00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:29.680
What are you gonna do?
00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:30.079
This and that.
00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:34.960
It's like, no, like I have one pitch I'm looking for, and every pitch is mine until I trust my eyes to tell me it's not.
00:17:35.119 --> 00:17:40.000
Because once I start thinking a little bit too much, that's when that's when it gets a little bad.
00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:50.079
So just keeping it simple and knowing that, okay, I'm gonna prep, I'll have an idea maybe of where where the pitch is gonna attack me, but in the end of the day, um, I'm going up there and finding a pitch I can drive and going for it.
00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:53.519
What stands out to you the most about like your sophomore season as a whole?
00:17:53.759 --> 00:17:57.279
Yeah, just stepping into a bigger leadership position this year than I was last year.
00:17:57.440 --> 00:18:06.880
Um, I've always been a leader like on every team I've been on, and just kind of finding my footing and finding my place last year, and there were a lot more um leadership roles.
00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:08.319
Uh Boo was here last year.
00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:14.960
Like they're just people who who had uh we followed in their footsteps and they they were our leaders and they set the way for the team.
00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:27.039
And then this year, that being me a little bit more in this in that position this year, and just embracing that and learning how to be a better leader for my teammates, but also learning how to um kind of just go go about that.
00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:37.759
And I guess I say go about that in the right ways, and um knowing that like just the little things that go with leadership that you can't learn until you're in the position, honestly.
00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:38.480
Of course, yeah.
00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:42.880
Well, we can't talk about Tennessee softball without talking about your head coach because she is such an icon.
00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:44.400
We love Coach Weekly.
00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:50.799
How much has she helped in your development as both a person and uh player when it comes to the game of softball?
00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:54.240
Yeah, um she's gonna tell you what she needs to hear.
00:18:54.400 --> 00:19:00.319
She's gonna be direct about it and she's gonna tell you the truth, and even if you're like she's gonna tell it to you.
00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:02.640
And um, it's just what you need to hear.
00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:09.839
And I think too, um, she invests in like the person too.
00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:15.119
It's not just like softball, honestly.
00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:32.240
And like she cares about cares about us as people and she cares about us as students and all those things, and um, she cares about growing us as women and preparing us for life after this sport and all the little lessons that she teaches us every day um that feed into softball just play into life after softball as well.
00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:38.400
So I think she there's always like a message that she's trying to tell us, and uh whatever it is, like I I think it's Cam.
00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:42.400
Cam has like a little book of like little sayings that she says that she really likes.
00:19:42.559 --> 00:20:02.799
And but I think that's the biggest thing that that I take away from that is she tells you what you need to hear and she's straightforward about it, but also she comes with like wisdom every day in little lessons or little things that um we can take away and like it will reach like even if it's just a little snippet that she doesn't even realize she's saying, like it could stick with somebody and help them.
00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:11.680
She also started in LVFL alumni program, right, this year with you guys um where you guys got paired up with somebody who had been through the program.
00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:14.319
And your mentor was Rainey Gavin.
00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:14.640
Yeah.
00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:19.200
What has that experience been like for you and developing a relationship with her?
00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:20.400
Yeah, she's amazing.
00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:20.880
I love her.
00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:21.599
Oh my gosh.
00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:31.839
She um, I think like the program in general is so cool because before it, I mean, I wasn't really like connected with the alumni, if that makes sense.
00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.319
Yeah.
00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:38.480
I mean, there's some people who I knew or I knew of or things like that, but there was never that real like connection.
00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:50.880
But like since forming that connection with Rainey and then just like meeting other people, there's just like it just I would say it gives you like a greater sense of greater reason to play, honestly.
00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:56.079
Like that sounds so not like cheesy, but like genuinely, it it's really cool.
00:20:56.240 --> 00:21:00.240
Like it it feels it's really cool to play on the same field that they played on.
00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:04.960
Like I practiced the other day, we do like our breathing and reflection and all those things, and I was just feeling grateful.
00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:09.039
I was like, whoa, like, because another person I'm really close with is Tori Lewis.
00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:13.599
And I met her through Rainey, and um, so Rainey and Tori, I love them.
00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:15.519
And I was like, oh my gosh, this is so cool.
00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:17.759
Like they played on this field too, like this exact field.
00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:23.440
Like it's not a new field, like, no, like they played here too, and they've been through the things I'm going through, like the good and the bad, and all those things.
00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:34.160
But I just think it's so cool because um they both honestly have given me so much advice that and are the person that maybe they once needed in in this time.
00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:40.799
And it's just it's just really cool that they can be that person for me and like I can genuinely trust what they're saying.
00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:44.720
And like Rainy the other day, like I literally FaceTimed her and I was like, Okay, please tell me.
00:21:44.880 --> 00:21:47.039
Can you just I'm like, Can you just listen to me, please?
00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:50.880
And she I texted her and she was like, Um, I'm at my voice soccer game.
00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:52.559
Can I call I can do it right now?
00:21:52.640 --> 00:21:53.839
Or I can call you when I get home.
00:21:53.920 --> 00:21:55.440
I was like, okay, just call me when you get home.
00:21:56.000 --> 00:21:56.880
But she's awesome.
00:21:56.960 --> 00:21:59.759
I absolutely love her, and I just think it's so cool too to see like them get.
00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:01.039
Giving back too.
00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:09.279
And it's like it makes you feel special too, knowing that they want to spend their time helping you because they were also ones in your in your position.
00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:10.640
So I just think it's super cool.
00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:11.599
It is super cool.
00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:21.359
And it also speaks like the sisterhood of the Lady Vol softball program as a whole, which like for you as a player here currently, like we all know like that sisterhood, that bond is so close.
00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:26.559
How would you describe it for people who like aren't in it to know what it's really like to be a part of it?
00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:29.839
Yeah, I mean, it's just something that you can't really explain, I guess, too.
00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:39.039
I mean, it just gives you an opportunity to connect with people who you you'd have never met before and never have like had the impact or had the opportunity to have them like impact your life.
00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:42.160
And I just think that's so cool that this provides an outlet for that.
00:22:42.319 --> 00:23:00.240
And I think the other thing I just thought of too is like it's super cool to see like their connection too that they still have when they come back from alumni events, with like like they see each other probably like twice a year, but like they're still best friends, and I just think that's so cool to see that connection is always still there because like even my teammates now.
00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:03.359
I'm like, okay, we're never we're not gonna be here every year together.
00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.720
Like, that's kind of sad.
00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:06.960
What do you mean we're not roommates?
00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.519
Like, what?
00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:20.880
But I just think it's cool to see like that love that they they have is still there, and like they get to be at the field now together and be like, wow, like we did that, we were here for four years together, and that's just something super special that like no one can take away.
00:23:21.119 --> 00:23:30.319
What would you say has been your favorite moment with this specific group of young women and like the memory or the moment that stands out to you the most from the season so far?
00:23:31.839 --> 00:23:36.160
I would say our first two weekends in Clearwater.
00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:40.000
I mean, that was genuinely we were just playing so free and with so much joy.
00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:48.400
And like whether it was a freshman or a senior, like, no matter who was playing, we went out there with confidence and we it was just so much fun.
00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:49.839
Yeah, like there were so many smiles.
00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:53.599
I can like look back and remember like laughing on the field together.
00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:55.359
Not that we don't do that now, I'm not saying that.
00:23:55.519 --> 00:24:01.119
Oh my gosh, I mean, okay, I would say for me it stands out a lot too because that's my hometown.
00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:12.160
Yeah, so my family was in the stands, like and like Rainy, my mentor came the second weekend and I was like, life's great, this is fun, we're winning, like it's softball season, let's go.
00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:21.200
Um, but I just think it was so much fun too, and I think that just stands out so much for me because those first two weekends, like we hadn't played anybody else.
00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:27.279
Like we were just so happy to be on the field playing somebody else and not scrimmaging each other at Sherry Parker League.
00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:30.960
Like we were so ready to just go compete, and I think that's what stands out to me.
00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:32.640
It's not the win, it's not any of that.
00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:35.599
It's like, no, we were so excited to finally get out there.
00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:38.720
You mentioned that you're from Florida.
00:24:39.119 --> 00:24:40.960
You're the youngest of six.
00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:41.759
Yes, right?
00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:43.119
Yes, unbelievable.
00:24:43.359 --> 00:24:46.960
I can only imagine what the Dodge household was like growing up.
00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:48.160
Break it down.
00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:51.519
What the dynamic of you and all your siblings?
00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:57.279
Uh, how how many sisters, how many brothers do you have, and the age difference, and like where softball came from?
00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:57.920
Yeah.
00:24:58.240 --> 00:25:02.640
So my dad, he had four boys before he met my mom.
00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:03.119
Okay.
00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:08.240
So they're my half-brothers, but they live with us while we were growing up, all these things.
00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:09.599
So they're in their 30s, I think.
00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.000
Okay.
00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:14.400
I laugh because I can never remember how old they are, but they're in their 30s or something like that.
00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:24.079
And then, yeah, so my sister, I have one older sister, and she is 22, and she just got married in January.
00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:26.559
So that was so, so fun, yes.
00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:30.880
And then my I have 11 nieces and nephews.
00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:31.279
Wow.
00:25:31.599 --> 00:25:33.119
Yeah, so I've been an aunt since I was seven.
00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.640
Stop! That's amazing.
00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:36.000
Yes, yes.
00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:39.119
And um, what was the other question you asked?
00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:39.839
Softball.
00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.400
Where did it come from?
00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:41.279
Oh, where did software come from?
00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.480
So my mom played softball.
00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:44.640
Okay, she played at the University of South Florida.
00:25:44.799 --> 00:25:49.440
Well, her first year, she went to West Palm Beach Community College.
00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:52.079
Okay, I think it was a JUCO, but they won a national championship.
00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:56.400
And then after her freshman year, um, she transferred to USF.
00:25:56.880 --> 00:26:00.640
And so that's D1, all the things.
00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:06.559
And they, I think they were one win away from going to the World Series one year.
00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:08.480
And I just say that because that's like super cool to me, too.
00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:10.480
Like my mom almost went to the World Series too.
00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:18.720
So um, and yeah, so she played softball, so she put me in that when I was like little and T ball, whatever it is.
00:26:18.960 --> 00:26:21.440
And um, she was my coach for years, and we love that.
00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:24.079
And some people are like, oh, your mom's your coach, uh, they hate it.
00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:25.680
And I'm just like, no, it was like so much fun.
00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.720
Like we had so much fun.
00:26:26.880 --> 00:26:29.200
There were only a few times where there was some banter.
00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:32.240
Like one time, I'm so calling myself out.
00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:41.119
One time I like struck out or something, and my mom, I was coming back in the dug yard, she was at third base coaching, and she like said something to me because I for sure I struck out looking.
00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:42.319
It was a terrible event.
00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.759
I literally remember it.
00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:49.279
And she was like, she said something to me, and I was like, stop talking to me, don't talk to anybody else anyway.
00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:50.720
And she was like, Go run.
00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:52.640
And I was like, no.
00:26:53.359 --> 00:26:59.119
So the the way the field worked, there was no like around home plate, there weren't any any stance.
00:26:59.200 --> 00:26:59.359
Okay.
00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.400
Ever was in the outfield.
00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:00.640
Okay.
00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:09.359
So she wanted me to run around that field where all the parents were, and I was like, So I took off and went around the other field where there was not even a game, there were no parents, and she was like, Did you even run?
00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.480
I was like, Yep, over there.
00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:11.920
Yeah, and she was like, I do.
00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:13.839
I'm just like, I'm done with you.
00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:19.200
Yeah, I just remember it, but it was it was so much fun, and I just think it's such a cool connection to have.
00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:23.519
And I went on a I'll talk about other schools and visits and stuff.
00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:32.640
Like one of my visits I went on was at USF, but it was just such a full circle moment because my the my mom's coach when she played there is the same coach.
00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:35.200
No way, so it was it was really cool, yeah.
00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:37.920
Well, go kind of kind of then switching gears from that.
00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:45.839
Like, what was it about Tennessee that made the Florida girl want to go out of state, move up to Knoxville, Tennessee, and find a home here?
00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:54.559
Yeah, I mean, just coming here, like from the second I came on campus, like just seeing how um much of a family environment it was, and um, it was just special.
00:27:54.640 --> 00:27:56.880
And I just it just felt like home when I came here.
00:27:57.039 --> 00:28:01.359
And um like the little things that Karen does too within the program.
00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:04.960
Like when I came to practice, like when we circle up, everyone's feet are touching.
00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:06.240
There's A for Y at the end.
00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:15.200
There's just as like a standard of excellence that is not a priority in a lot of other places or isn't instilled properly, and I just think that that is such a cool standard to have.
00:28:15.279 --> 00:28:31.680
And like as a player in person, I want to be pushed as much as I can, even on the hard days, and I can just see that I could see that that's exactly how Tennessee was, and being here, like that's a how it is, and that's I'm very thankful for that because not a lot of people go somewhere and it's exactly what they thought it was gonna be.
00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:37.920
And I mean, obviously, there's differences for people, but um, the good moral of it, yeah.
00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:47.200
Um, not everything is exactly how you see, but but that part of it was, so I was very thankful for what you thought you were gonna get is what is panning out to be your experience in Tennessee, which is amazing.
00:28:47.599 --> 00:28:52.960
Um, I wanted to say too, you won two state titles when you were in high school as well playing softball.
00:28:53.200 --> 00:29:05.759
How did that like competitive spirit and that winning culture that you'd helped develop at your high school help you now translate into getting your first women's college world spirit women's college world series experience in your freshman year here at Tennessee?
00:29:05.920 --> 00:29:11.680
Yeah, so I was very thankful too because my a lot of like high school teams aren't amazing.
00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:15.519
It's usually like travel balls where the competitiveness is, where you get recruited, all the things.
00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:18.160
But I was on a very competitive travel ball team, all those things.
00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:21.440
I've just always been competitive my whole life, like no matter what it is.
00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:25.920
Like if I didn't want to do anything when I was little, like my mom would be like, Oh, time you see how fast you can go, go.
00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:27.440
Like, and I was like, Okay, I'm going.
00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:31.680
So I've just always been super competitive in everything that I do, and that's just who I am.
00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:35.200
And um, I was very thankful because my high school team was actually really good.
00:29:35.359 --> 00:29:44.240
And there was uh TJ Gells, he's a very well-known coach in Florida, pretty much just travel ball, all the things a lot of colleges know him and stuff.
00:29:44.400 --> 00:30:02.319
And he was my high school coach, and I had the privilege of him getting kind of getting to mentor me as well when I was younger and um kind of like growing up, and his two daughters played at Florida, and um he was our coach, so we had a great culture and program and all the things, and I was just very thankful uh to be a part of that.
00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:05.519
And I actually wasn't able to play my freshman year.
00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:12.480
I was injured, I had fractured my back, and yeah, that sounds like a lot, but I fractured my back twice actually, back to back times.
00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:19.359
So yeah, in eighth grade, I fractured it and then I came back too soon, got bad doctor advice, and I fractured it again.
00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:19.759
Oh, god.
00:30:20.079 --> 00:30:28.960
And I was out for a long time, but I wasn't able to play my freshman year, so it was just really special getting to come back and play my sophomore year, and I actually pitched.
00:30:29.119 --> 00:30:33.279
So I pitched my whole life and I stopped because of my back.
00:30:33.519 --> 00:31:11.440
So I fractured my back because of like the repetitive motion of pitching, and came back, pitched again, and I was fine, and then I fractured it again, and I came back and pitched still and I like recovered and everything, but um my back just always bothered me, and like I was never able to like fully like practice as much as I wanted to or like give like go basically because like my back was restricting me so much, so I had to stop pitching, and like I was like, okay, I'd rather play softball and do everything with a fine back than try to pitch and be kind of struggling, like I can't really do it fully, and then my back hurts all the time.
00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:23.599
So after senior, uh even like the beginning of senior year high school, I stopped pitching because I knew like I wasn't coming here to pitch, and I was like, okay, thank goodness, A, because my back hurts, and B, like ever since that, my back has felt so much better.
00:31:23.680 --> 00:31:24.960
So I'm very thankful for that.
00:31:25.119 --> 00:31:39.839
But I just think that's also has given me such a good perspective on like being grateful to play because like I didn't know I was gonna be out for so long, so many times in a row, and um just kind of carrying that with me, being grateful to play, and kind of trying to give that into my teammates as well.
00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:43.119
What a unique part about your journey that I had no idea about.
00:31:43.279 --> 00:31:43.519
Yeah.
00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:59.119
I was gonna ask, you kind of touched on it, but like how did that help shape your mindset and your approach to the game of softball when you thought that like so much could be taken away, but instead you were able to channel it in a different way and find you know your happiness within the game in a different area.
00:31:59.359 --> 00:32:00.079
Yeah, yeah.
00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:14.240
I think it's just really cool to be able to truly get to know yourself in a way and like the person and values you're gonna fall back on when everything's going differently than you thought it was going to.
00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:35.119
And and uh really that freshman year of high school was really challenging in that way, but also really cool for me to still have the opportunity to go out there every day and I was like the manager, but it was just I literally was out there, I was charting stuff, I was kind of helping the team instruct certain things on drills and things like that.
00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:48.240
And um, I want to coach softball after, so I just think that was a cool opportunity to put myself in that position and like still find a way to lead an impact even when I'm not on the field and literally can't go on the field.
00:32:48.400 --> 00:32:54.799
So that was super cool, but also just understanding well, one of my friends, Sidney McCrae, she actually plays at Grand Canyon University.
00:32:55.039 --> 00:32:56.240
She's this is her senior year.
00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:58.640
She was also injured with me that year.
00:32:58.799 --> 00:33:03.440
She went to my high school and um she was um she had torn her AC out.
00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:04.240
So we were both out together.
00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:08.960
So that was super hard, but we did it together and we were like, it's okay, like one day at a time, we got this.
00:33:09.119 --> 00:33:16.880
And I think that relationship, that bond that we formed was really special through that, but also realizing like this is about being a good teammate, so much more than softball.
00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:18.400
Like, this is not about you.
00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:20.720
Show up every day, and now how can I serve somebody else?
00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:23.680
Yeah, and then kind of taking those lessons I learned even while I'm on the field.
00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:25.519
Okay, like how can I still serve my teammates?
00:33:25.599 --> 00:33:35.279
How can I help you and reflect Christ and love you and do all those things, like even when I my life isn't going how I planned for it to go?
00:33:35.359 --> 00:33:35.440
Yeah.
00:33:35.599 --> 00:33:44.160
So I think that's just such a cool, cool reminder that God always has a plan and He He's gotta shape you before you get the blessings, honestly.
00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:48.079
And you're only gonna get shaped into who he needs you to be through through the hard things.
00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:49.839
So are you a vault leader?
00:33:50.079 --> 00:33:50.799
Yes, I am.
00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:56.720
I was like, if she's not already a vault leader, I need to talk to Jess and Kate right now.
00:33:57.119 --> 00:33:57.519
Thanks.
00:33:57.680 --> 00:33:58.240
That's amazing.
00:33:58.400 --> 00:34:01.119
So you're going on the trips to Rwanda this summer.
00:34:01.359 --> 00:34:02.319
Are you going on the June one?
00:34:02.480 --> 00:34:02.960
Yes, I am.
00:34:04.240 --> 00:34:04.799
But you're going?
00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:06.960
Yes, I can cover it for the VFL.
00:34:08.400 --> 00:34:08.960
That's so exciting.
00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:13.119
It's gonna be incredible.
00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:17.920
But like I saw so many qualities like eggs like exuding out of you that I'm gonna.
00:34:18.159 --> 00:34:18.400
Thank you.
00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:20.719
You gotta get her up for the hope she's not there already.
00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:30.960
Um, but I wanted to ask too, like throughout your softball journey and you know, all that you've had to endure, who had the biggest impact on your life growing up?
00:34:31.199 --> 00:34:31.920
Was it family?
00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:34.000
Was it somebody in the in the softball world?
00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:39.920
Like, where where did you find that that mentor or that um inspiration when it came to softball?
00:34:40.239 --> 00:34:45.199
I think honestly, it's been different people throughout a bunch of different stages of my life, which I can go through that.
00:34:45.280 --> 00:34:52.480
But also I think just my constant is my mom and my dad in general, but especially my mom, her playing softball.
00:34:52.559 --> 00:35:03.840
But she's just always been there for me in telling me what I need to hear, but being there to help me, being a shoulder to lean on, hearing me rant, but also being like, all right, you just gotta shut up because you're just being too dramatic right now.
00:35:04.079 --> 00:35:08.880
So just like telling me exactly what I need to hear, and um, we just have a really close connection and close bond.
00:35:09.039 --> 00:35:10.719
So I'm very thankful, thankful for that.
00:35:10.880 --> 00:35:16.639
And um, I just always know she's gonna be there and like her advice and all the things, and we're just super close.
00:35:16.800 --> 00:35:23.920
And it's like it's sex not being at home, but I mean my parents are they get to come up every single weekend pretty much.
00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:25.360
So I'm so thankful for that.
00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:25.599
Yeah.
00:35:25.760 --> 00:35:26.159
Oh my gosh.
00:35:26.400 --> 00:35:37.280
And then I would say too, um just kind of throughout like my travel ball high school years, like I had some really influential coaches and things like that.
00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:43.679
And then um being at uh here at the University of Tennessee.
00:35:43.840 --> 00:35:52.159
I think honestly, like my friends too have been such a such a great outlet for me to grow, but also like kind of point me in the right direction.
00:35:52.239 --> 00:35:56.880
And like last year, one of my best friends, Kinzie Fiedler, she was a senior, she transferred in from Washington.
00:35:57.039 --> 00:36:15.199
Um, she her and I are um very, very close, and we were able to kind of help point each other in the right direction too, and um just point each other towards Christ and just also remind each other, like she had she just had a very good outlet outlook on softball too.
00:36:15.280 --> 00:36:17.039
Like, okay, like you didn't do good, so what?
00:36:17.119 --> 00:36:17.920
Like, let's move on.
00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:18.719
Like, let's go.
00:36:19.039 --> 00:36:19.599
You're fine.
00:36:19.920 --> 00:36:51.360
And just like her perspective on things too really helped me, and um, even like her testimony and and certain things like that, just like form my perspective, and then even my roommates now, like we can bounce ideas off of each other, and it's just super nice to have such mature friends in that way where you can truly trust their advice and and lean on them, and then obviously like Rainey, my mentor, and then Tori, I've recently gotten very close with as well, and just being able to trust their advice is something that like I can't take for granted because not a lot of people have that, and the amount like the amount their advice has impacted me.
00:36:51.440 --> 00:36:53.920
Like, I hope I can impact impact someone at least half that much.
00:36:54.159 --> 00:37:03.119
So over the past two years, too, learning the Lady Vol legacy and what that really means to represent and wear on your chest when you step out onto the field.
00:37:03.280 --> 00:37:07.199
What does that mean to you to embody what it means to be a Lady Vol?
00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:11.519
Yeah, I mean it's representing so much more than yourself, like if anything, that's like last on the list.
00:37:11.599 --> 00:37:24.400
And I just think it it it honors the people who who've come before you and the hard work they've put in and um just being a person to serve others and love others through it all.
00:37:24.719 --> 00:37:32.079
And I think that's the true definition of being a lady of all is is doing that exactly, and um just truly understanding that it's not about you.
00:37:32.239 --> 00:37:41.440
I mean, it's cool to have honors or accolades, or it's cool to be the person in the moment to do well, but in the end of the day, that's not what people remember, and that's not where the true impact lies.
00:37:41.840 --> 00:37:50.480
And like the true, the true definition of being a lady of all is like loving the person next to you and being that one there for them to love them and believe in them when no one else does.
00:37:50.639 --> 00:37:56.320
And I think that's that's the hardest thing because everyone goes through ups and downs in their lives, especially in in this time frame.
00:37:56.880 --> 00:38:06.079
And um having having those people in your corner are is something that is very necessary during that time, and that is what being at Tennessee gives you the outlet for.
00:38:06.559 --> 00:38:25.280
But when you reflect back on the past two years and you think of Ella like stepping onto campus for the first time, visiting Knoxville, seeing what Rocky Top was all about, like what would you say to her about the experience that she's going to have, is having, and is still yet to come these next two years here?
00:38:25.519 --> 00:38:29.360
Yeah, I just think it's I'm I'm a very outgoing person too.
00:38:29.440 --> 00:38:31.599
Like I came here early and everyone was like, Are you scared?
00:38:31.760 --> 00:38:34.239
I was like, no, like I'm excited, I'm not doing am I scared.
00:38:34.400 --> 00:38:35.679
Like, no, I'm not scared.
00:38:35.840 --> 00:38:47.360
And I just think knowing me when I first came, like I was I wanted to grow, I wanted to learn things, but I was also like, let's go, like I'm ready, let's do it right now.
00:38:47.440 --> 00:38:56.639
But I think just the growth that I have had even in such a short amount of time is is really cool because um it there's just so many little things that you can't truly learn without going through them.
00:38:56.880 --> 00:39:05.039
And I think that's the that's the coolest thing about it is like you don't know where you're gonna be in a year, you don't know where you're gonna be in two years or even next week, honestly.
00:39:05.119 --> 00:39:05.760
Like you don't know.
00:39:05.920 --> 00:39:32.320
And I just think the lessons that come every day are really cool in the relationships and the memories that that you get to have, but also knowing that like the joy um in the memories that you have are like so special in once in a lifetime, like no other environment can create like what you have in sport with the people around you and like the hard work you go through together, and just knowing that the struggle in the heart and the long hours and the tears, blood, whatever it is, like it's all worth it for the for the joy that you're gonna have with people around you.
00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:32.960
Yes.
00:39:33.199 --> 00:39:35.119
Oh, this is so good, Ellen.
00:39:35.360 --> 00:39:36.159
This is so fun.
00:39:36.559 --> 00:39:38.159
Thank you so much for the time.
00:39:38.800 --> 00:39:45.519
Get you out of here because you got a big weekend with Alabama coming to town and wrapping up the regular season and just heading into the postseason.
00:39:45.599 --> 00:39:46.000
Good luck.
00:39:46.079 --> 00:39:47.679
We're so excited for you guys.
00:39:49.440 --> 00:39:50.480
Yes, super excited.
00:39:50.559 --> 00:39:51.599
Thank you so much for having me.
