As the softball season comes to an end, senior Amaya Labs reflects on her four years playing on the Warrior softball team. Labs shares one of the most important things she’s learned on the field.
“One of the most important things I’ve learned is to always give 100% effort. It’s way better to make a mistake at full effort than it is to be at 50%,” Labs said. “I always try to give full effort and try my hardest for my team.”
As well as learning lessons on the field, Labs is a leader who teaches lessons to, and uplifts her teammates. Freshman Greenlee Wulf shares how Amaya has made a positive impact on her team, and what she will miss about the seniors.
“Amaya has made a positive impact on the team by always being there to talk about stuff when you have no one. Looking at the future I will miss how they were always happy even when it got rough,” Wulf said.
Playing for 13 years, Labs has had many memories with her teammates, and has enjoyed playing softball. Playing in highschool, Labs has seen the team change, as well as the team atmosphere shift with every year. This has helped their team perform and succeed. Labs shares her favorite memory from this year.
“Our team atmosphere is unlike any other. We are always joking around and having fun with everyone,” Labs said. “ One of my favorite memories this year is from the Elkhorn South game. Our head coach Mike was coaching third and, instead of just motioning for our girl to slide, he layed completely on the ground. It was so funny and everyone in the dugout immediately started laughing.”
Labs and the other seniors have created a positive energy for the rest of their team to pick up on, to help raise spirits in a time of need. Wulf explains how they’ve shaped the team.
“The atmosphere of the team is a very fun environment, everyone likes each other and it is a good place to be,” Wulf said.
Labs feels that playing with her team has helped improve her game in many ways. She feels that her biggest change was the summer before junior year.
“The biggest change I’ve seen was between my sophomore and junior year. In the summer before my junior season, me and my teammates would spend extra time at the field and spent a lot of time bonding together,” Labs said. “ I think that’s why my junior season was so amazing. That was the closest I’d ever been to the girls. We were like a family on and off of the field.”
During her time on the field, Labs has enjoyed playing defense, and everything that comes with it. She enjoys the energy created while trying to stop the other team.
“My favorite part of the game is defense. I love playing outfield and making diving catches and throwing people out. It doesn’t happen much, but I love when people try to steal on me and I get to test my arm. I love playing for my pitchers and doing anything possible to stop runs from scoring,” Labs said.
Labs reflects on her many years playing softball. She also shares what it means to her, and how it’s shaped her while growing up.
“I first started playing softball when I was five years old. I played on a WWAA team, then moved to Echoes and started fastpitch when I was seven,” Labs said. “ I switched to Keystone when I was nine and played on that team with the same girls for seven years. I’ve spent literally my entire life playing softball and I wouldn’t want to change it at all.”
