Pacific Index

Saying goodbye to the softball senior class, a personal view from junior Ava Hlavacek

   It is a privilege to set foot on the diamond with a team you love. I would know. Out of the twenty or more teams I’ve played with, only two have met that standard, and one of them is right here at Pacific. None of which would be possible without the guidance, leadership, compassion, and dedication of our senior class. So, as they get closer and closer to stepping on the graduation stage and tossing their caps, let me tell you what makes each one of them so special.

   Starting off with the amazing, Ellie Ishikawa. She is kind, caring, a bit clumsy at times, but a genuine friend and teammate nonetheless. Her smile is contagious, and her bright personality lights up the outfield grass. As I spoke with the seniors, she laughed about her first memory playing softball, “Probably when my dad wanted to play catch with me, when I was first learning how to throw,” recalls Ishikawa. “He threw the ball in my face, and I lost my two front teeth!”

   If you know Ishikawa, this bizarre story probably wouldn’t shock you; it somehow feels like her, the goofy details paired with the fun memory. 

   Coming into my freshman year of college, there was a lot to be nervous about: a new school, a new state, and a new team. But with the guidance of Ishikawa, just a sophomore herself at the time, my transition into a new environment was made easy, and I’ve looked to her as a role model ever since. 

   After she graduates, Ishikawa hopes the team will “just keep it simple, but also, keep it going and win some games. I want to see a winning record in the near future for this team, and I think they can do it. I’m excited to see what this program has in store for the future!” She boasts. And with her leadership skills and values instilled in the underclassmen, I’m sure her goal can be met.

Moving on, if there is one thing I’m certain of after these three years, wherever you find Ishikawa, you will find Kayla. 

   Kayla Kodani is confident, personable, passionate, and resilient. I’ve never seen someone get knocked down so many times, just to get right back up. Her skill and raw athleticism inspire many and motivate those around her to get better every day. On top of that, she has a sociable personality, which makes her extremely easy to connect with. 

   Fittingly, Kodani says this was her favorite part of being a Boxer, “I enjoyed all the connections and people I’ve met here, I’ve made a lot of best friends through this team, and I wish I had more years.”

   Even on the sideline, during her multiple injuries, Kodani has always been an amazing teammate and leader. And even though she gives the team and our wonderful trainer, Leislie, a weekly heart attack by somehow ending up on the ground. We do not doubt that she will get right back up, proving to everyone just how strong and committed she is to her teammates. Following her departure from the team, Kodani hopes everyone continues to believe in themselves and, “just have fun. Having this opportunity to play at the collegiate level and knowing that you can do it, I want everyone to have the mindset that nothing can bring you down.”

   The next senior I want to talk about is Rylie Khiara, a true utility player and a sparkplug for the team. Khiara is energetic, humorous, and smart; nobody on the field has a more infectious laugh. Never in my time at Pacific have I doubted whether Khiara will get to a ball or not, regardless of where she is on the field. In my eyes, Khiara is a leader by action, not by words. Her effort speaks for itself, and her attitude towards the game is truly something to admire.

   “I think over the years, I have established my mindset to be less of a ‘don’t worry’ and more of a ‘don’t care’. I feel like I have stopped worrying and caring about the little things, and I’m just kind of trying to have fun this year,” says Kihara. “As we grow up, I realize how little time we have left playing this sport, and I just want to make the most of it rather than worrying about production and stats, and how good I can be,” Khiara adds.

   Her carefree mentality and fun-driven approach to the game make her easy to play with and even easier to get along with. It’s always a “No Fly Zone” when Khiara is around.

   Next is the lovely Sam Madsen, who is bright, driven, genuine, and probably one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. In moments of struggle or when things just aren’t going the team’s way, I can always count on Madsen to be at the front of the dugout, supporting and uplifting those around her. She’s always someone I feel like I can turn to to help me crack a smile. Like Kodani, Madsen has dealt with her fair share of injuries. “For myself personally, I’ve had more injuries in my college career than I did playing softball in my youth,” recalls Madsen. “So that was definitely something that I had to get used to and something that has pushed me to take every opportunity as it comes and trust myself that I am capable of doing what the team needs me to do, no matter what position I’m put in.”

   I can speak from firsthand experience that everyone trusts Madsen, and nobody has overcome countless injuries and setbacks with more grace than her. And I think her response to my next question about what she wants to leave with the team is a direct reflection of her infectious personality. 

   “I just hope that once we’re gone, the sense of community that has formed on this team can stick, and everybody just continues to support each other on and off the field. I also hope that nobody ever loses the fun when they come to Pacific and play Boxer softball,” says Madsen. “Surprise, surprise, Sam wants to have fun,” she adds as the other seniors laugh in agreement.

   Last but certainly not least is Chloe Knepp, our fearless leader and ultimate captain supreme. Knepp is enthusiastic, ambitious, hardworking, and the most dependable person I know on and off the field. Not only is she a superb athlete, but she is also a literal “wall” of a third baseman. Knepp has been an immense contributor to creating the team chemistry we have today. Without her leadership and influence, this team would not be the same, and she will leave big shoes to fill. Knepp herself attests to this new team chemistry when talking about her favorite moment, “I think my favorite memory from Pacific is actually from this year, and it would probably be our California trip,” she says. “Out of all of the away trips we’ve taken, this was probably one of my favorites, because not only did we win, but the team was also just really connected. We had a lot of chemistry going, and it was just a lot of support all around.” 

   I can say with certainty that Knepp’s impact on Boxer softball will be felt until this year’s freshman class graduate themselves. It was a privilege to share a field with her for the past few years, as it was for each senior in this class. 

   To end our interview, Knepp said something that really stuck with me. “Something I hope to leave the team with is knowing that sometimes there’s not always gonna be a ‘right person’ necessarily, and sometimes that person just has to be you,” she says with a smile.“You can’t always expect someone else to do it. Sometimes you need to be the one who does it, and I hope that kind of sticks when we leave, and definitely enjoy yourself and have fun, because if you’re not having fun, then what are you doing?”

   Knowing this outstanding woman won’t join us next year isn’t easy, but I think I can speak for the whole team and coaching staff when I say it was an honor to play on the same field as her and every other senior. And before I get too emotional, I will leave you with parting words from Ishikawa’s interview.

Go Boxers forever. 

Thank you seniors,

Love Ava