Head coach Todd Fairbourne described the early season series’ and tournaments as practice situations for the UVU women’s softball team. His exigence came from the freshness of the team as they adapt to transfer students and injuries starting off the season.
“Different situations may reveal what we have to get better at,” Fairbourne said.
Despite the feelings of newness, UVU is currently 6-4 on the season as of Friday morning. Prior to this, following the team’s first two series of the season, the Wolverines went 3-3 before clinching three more wins at the North Carolina A&T Softball Invitational. Playing a large role at the tournament was sophomore Amanda Robinson.
Two weeks ago Robinson was named the Great West Conference Player of the week and the Pacific Coast Softball Conference’s Mountain Division player of the week. She earned her awards after the four-school tournament in North Carolina. Robinson’s batting average sits at .400 after hitting .714 in the tournament. On top of her batting average, Robinson hit three home runs and 11 RBI’s.
The team looks to Robinson, one of the few returning players from last season, as an example and a source to learn the ropes of being a Wolverine.
“I feel like I have a lot of expectations on me.” Robinson said. “The best thing to do is lead by example. I want to teach the girls about what this program has in store for them.”
Utah Valley was first introduced to Robinson last season when she was named the PCSC Mountain Division Freshmen of the Year. She came after her high school career at Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Calif. Fairbourne watched her play prep ball and after Robinson saw the potential in UVU, she committed to play for the school.
“I felt like I could change the program for the better,” Robinson said. “I feel like I’ve helped the program grow. I come into practice and games the same way every day: with intensity. I try and make it so it’s that way every day.”
According to Robinson, she has done so with the leadership and independence that Fairbourne has given her throughout the past two seasons. She describes her coach as someone who has had never-ending confidence in her day in and day out, teaching her to be the best both on and off the field.
“I would love to be an example to all the girls,” Robinson said. “I hope they see how I carry myself and approach the game and the girls feed off of that. That is the intensity that needs to be there to win games and make this program grow.”
