Freshman third baseman Abby Snyder is no ordinary freshman on the Virginia softball team. Normally, freshmen on collegiate sports teams sit out a year or two and see little to no action while they learn the game from their older teammates. Snyder, however, is not only going to see playing time this season -- she also has the responsibility of being one of the team's captains.
"It just adds some extra responsibility for me," Snyder said. "Everyone on our team is a leader even if she isn't a captain."
Being named captain for a sports team is not an experience any other Virginia freshman is believed to have had and Snyder was happy when she was named one.
"I was so excited when I heard that I was a captain because it made me feel like my teammates really wanted me here," Snyder said. "I felt like they respected me and so I was really honored that they chose me as a first-year."
Though new to the University community, Snyder is no stranger to leadership roles in sports.
"On my high school softball team, I was a captain," Snyder said. "I was a leader on my high school softball team."
Obviously, selecting a freshman as a captain is a strong statement and speaks volumes about the respect Virginia coach Karen Johns has for Snyder.
"Snyder brings two things to our team -- an incredible work ethic and she's a great leader," Johns said.
Snyder has yet to develop her skills as a vocal leader, but she impresses her teammates with her work ethic.
"She is probably not one of the more vocal of the players on the team but she can grow into that role," senior second baseman Elea Crockett said. "She exemplifies what we are looking for as a hard worker and as a leader by example. She's always attempting to become better, and she expects that of her teammates."
Snyder is already setting goals for the team despite being a freshman, and she has set a concrete individual goal for the season as well.
"It's not hard to think about goals," Snyder said. "I'm so honored to be a captain and I want to achieve what I know we can achieve. My personal goal for this season is to bat .350, and another one is to be a contributor to the team."
Snyder is not far removed from the high school sports experience and has already realized the difference between high school sports and collegiate sports.
"There were about 2,000 students at my high school," Snyder said. "The [level of competition] is more than a step above -- it's a whole other level."
Beyond adjusting to the demands of collegiate play, Snyder has had to make adjustments to college life as well. Balancing activities is one thing when you are a freshman and involved around Grounds; it's a whole different ball game when you are a captain of a sports team -- keen time management is essential.
"We plan out our week as a team and we can see when we can do our work," Snyder said. "I think our team does a great job with [managing time]"
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