“I will be the first to tell you that commuting a total of 14 hours for a three hour practice isn’t always the first thing I want to do on a weekend,” admits Jenna Lilley, our outstanding senior blogger, but then adds, “I could think of it that way, or I could look at it as more of an opportunity.”

It’s all about perspective says Jenna, an infielder for Hoover High in North Canton, Ohio who is rated by StudentSportsSoftball.com as the No. 1 recruit in the senior class. 

Jenna has helped the Hoover Vikings win three straight state championships including the 2013 title team that went 32-0.  The lefty hit .697 as a junior and was named the Ohio State Player of the Year and a MaxPreps All-American. 

She has committed to the Univ. of Oregon and is also excellent in the classroom with a 3.9 GPA. 

Click here to read Jenna’s earlier blogs and those from our other standout players!

Learn more about Jenna and her athletic family in this piece by her mother, Debbie, called A parent’s perspective: softball sacrifices

See our video interview of mother and daughter shot this summer at PGF

 

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One time I was on the phone with one of my coaches. Talking along, she asked me what I was going to do this weekend.

I proceeded to tell her, “I have to go to practice in Chicago for Bandits.” Right out of my mouth it didn’t feel right, something in what I just said didn’t seem like me. This made me really reflect on what I said that day.

I don’t have to go to practices for the Bandits… well, technically Coach would like me to be there but I get to go to Bandits’ practices and be a part of one of the finest organizations across the country.

I will be the first to tell you that commuting a total of 14 hours for a three hour practice isn’t always the first thing I want to do on a weekend. I could think of it that way, or I could look at it as more of an opportunity.

“I get the opportunity to play for one of the top teams in the nation. How many people would love to be in my shoes, playing for a national championship contender? I get to play for the Beverly Bandits – Conroy team.”

As soon as I remember that, everything seems so much simpler.

I look at my weekends as opportunities to get better and to be surrounded by my awesome teammates. Everything changes when you look at it from a different perspective. Perspective plays so much of a role in positivity and in this game.

Every game we play is the same game. Every single game has seven innings, three strikes for a K, two teams competing, etc.

But why is it, that when we are in a playoff game everything seems all the sudden more serious, or just different? Yes, in playoff games, we could potentially be eliminated, but to me—whether you’re in a league game or the national championship—there is only one way to play the game: all out and wholeheartedly.

If we gave 100 percent for every “normal” game, then what can possibly be different about a championship game? We cannot physically give more than 100%, because that is all we have.

I try my best to go out and play every game the same way. It doesn’t matter what type of game it is, either way I will be giving my all and staying relentless. I don’t take underdog teams too lightly, and at the same time, I don’t look at good teams and think anything special about them.

Everyday it’s my team, the ball, and some opponent. I don’t care who the opponent is or what type of game they play. I remember that any team can win on any given day and I’m going to go out there and play my game and focus on my team and what we do best.

One of my favorite quotes I heard over the summer was right before PGF Nationals. Sue Enquist was speaking and said “Once you get into bracket play, it’s the same game; it just has its party dress on.”

That quote hit me and really made me think about my perspective on the upcoming week to compete for a national championship. It reminded me to go out there and play my game just like I always do, except my game had a little special “party dress” on!

As always,

Jenna