RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Last week, we told you about Yessenia Lopez, the talented 2024 pitcher/infielder from South Florida who plays club ball for her older sister, Amanda Lopez (click HERE to read that story).
When the Sept. 1 Division I live recruiting period kicked off—literally at midnight—the junior received more than a dozen phone calls from interested schools, but one kept tugging at her heartstrings.
Coach Cindy Ball-Malone and her Central Florida Knights were the ultimate winner and in this Extra Inning Softball Q&A, Yessenia explains why….
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When did you tell Central Florida you were committing?
Originally, I wanted to wait and keep my options open like everyone always tells you but that day that they offered me I knew it felt like home. This is something—since the first camp I went too—that i was interested in and, in the moment, it felt right so I went with my gut and that day I committed on September 2nd.
What was their reaction?
When I said: “I’m gonna be a Knight,” Coach Ball gave me a hug and said “Welcome!” while Coach Kaija Gibson actually went and screamed while running in circles while we all laughed.
Here is the actual recorded phone conversation when Yessenia told Coach Ball-Malone she was committing!
How far away is it from where you live?
UCF is only three hours from me, which is what in reality I always wanted… something close to home.
What was the deciding factor in you finalizing the decision and why now?
I had been to multiple UCF camps and it’s just a feeling of being comfortable and confident with them. A lot of times when girls go to camps including myself, it’s always nerves which is normal and it’s normal to be a little on edge with the pressure, but their coaching staff genuinely made me feel more excited and eager to get out there, rather than nervous which is something I didn’t get anywhere else.
How did it go telling the other schools you had committed?
This was 100 percent the hardest part of my process! Not a lot of people talk about how difficult it is to have to tell the others school you have committed. I had some calls where coaches were excited for me and understanding, telling me how awesome it is and that they are happy for me. I also had some calls where coaches’ moods switched very quickly and I could tell they weren’t happy with my decision or were a little disappointed. It was tough for the next three days after I committed to have to call 15 D1 Schools telling them I decided to go a different route. I know I made the right decision; however, it wasn’t easy for me.
Was it a big weight off your shoulders?
A lot of athletes say it’s a weight off their shoulders when they commit which was true for me, too, but on the other hand I also feel a little bit more weight on my shoulders because now that I completed one job it’s not just over. I still have to prepare even harder for the next two years because a scholarship is not permanent, and I am still day-by-day proving myself. The weight of finding my perfect school is done; now, I have to actually perform at that school so a new goal grows.
Having gone through the recruiting process, what advice would you give upcoming recruits?
Some advice I would have for other recruits, but it is very true when coaches say that the mental part of the game is just as important as the physical part. This recruiting process is tough—it was very mentally draining—but I promise you it is worth it. Not every college is going to be the same, they are not all going to show their utmost attention in you. You’re going to struggle in front of them and you’re going to perform in front of them. They know you make mistakes, it’s how you fix it and not how perfect you are, so don’t be so hard on yourself. Just let the process roll and play the game you know how to play. Don’t compare yourself to others everyone’s race is different.
Now that you’re committed to UCF, are you going to try and recruit other players to come with you?
I talk very highly of UCF especially now as crazy as it sounds to say that is my school (laughs) but I definitely would recommend it for athletics and academics to anyone and everyone if I could!