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Here’s our TLI for Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022:
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EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT: AVA SLIGER
Wichita State-committed P/1B Ava Sliger, #25 in the 2024 Extra Elite 100, recently talked to Extra Inning Softball about Athletics National 2024-Madden/Clemmer, training routine, velocity and command, Alliance Nationals, Iowa Premier National-Lacina, speech pathologist, Wichita State, Keilani Ricketts, “Eye of the Tiger,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and read music.
EXTRA ELITE SPOTLIGHT Q&A
Name: Ava Sliger
Hometown: Tupelo, OK
High School: Tupelo High
Club Team: Athletics National 2024-Madden/Clemmer
Graduation Year: 2024
Height: 5-foot-9
Position: P/1B
Nickname: Fiver
Twitter: @ava_sliger
Honors: Distinguished Academic Achievement Award (2022); Softball Award (2021); Oklahoma High School Honor Society (2021-22); Oklahoma Indian Student Honor Society (2021-22); National Honor Society (2021-22); English 2 Top Student (2021-22); Geometry Top Student (2021-22); Superintendent’s Honor Roll (2021-22); FFA; Student Council; Gifted/Talented; and Yearbook.
Travel Ball Highlights/Summer Stats: Pitching —105 IP, 14-4, 49 Ks, 18 BBs, 3.73 ERA and .272 batting average against; Hitting — .263 AVG, .300 OBP and .263 SLG.
High School Highlights/Stats: Pitching — 145.2 IP, 19-4, 240 Ks, 13 BBs, 0.43 ERA and .118 batting average against; Hitting — .393 AVG, .505 OBP, .631 SLG and 3 HRs; District champions, Regional champions and State tournament appearance.
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? Our team came together for the All-American games in 2018. After our experience at Hall of Fame, we decided to make our team permanent. Coach (Mike) Madden and the Athletics organization have been a big help with keeping us informed with upcoming camps, showcase tournaments and helping us be outfitted for our upcoming seasons.
What are some of your training methods/training routine? My training routine includes core work, hip flexor stretches, weight-lifting and cardio. I also pitch at least twice a week in the offseason and four times a week during the softball season. I have weekly lessons with my pitching and hitting coaches.
What areas are you focusing on/trying to improve this fall? This fall with my pitching, I am focusing on my velocity and trying to gain more command of every pitch. On the other side of the ball, I am focusing on attacking the ball and utilizing the entire field.
Can you tell us about your experience at Alliance Nationals this summer? This past summer we traveled to Indiana for the Alliance national championship where we played a high level of competition. Our team was the last 2024 team to be beaten out of the Power Pool.
Which player/team was your toughest opponent and why? I think our toughest opponent was Iowa Premier (National)-Lacina. Their entire lineup hits it well and they have a solid defense to back their pitching staff.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I currently have many interests, but at the moment I am most interested in being a Speech Pathologist because I enjoy interacting with young children.
Can you talk about your decision to commit to Wichita State? I decided to commit to Wichita State because it has always been my goal to play D1 softball. The past year, I had the opportunity to attend a camp and I had a great experience with the coaching staff and current players. I like the rural setting and the small town atmosphere of Wichita. I believe the coaching staff will help me be successful academically and athletically at the collegiate level.
Who is your sports hero and why? My sports hero has always been Keilani Ricketts since the first time I watched her play at OU when I was 8 years old. I enjoyed her command in the circle and her dominance of the game.
What’s the best hype song and why? My favorite hype song is “Eye of the Tiger” (by Survivor) because my high school mascot is a tiger.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show to binge watch is “Grey’s Anatomy” because I like the actors, storyline and the drama.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? I have learned to read music and I am beginning to learn to play the piano.
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