As the Cougars head into playoffs in Calgary this weekend, team captain Carmen Hughes sat down for an interview to talk about the upcoming weekend of competition. In comparison to previous years, this year’s team is one of a kind with exemplary work ethic, dedication, and so much more.

“This year’s team is not like any other team I have ever been on,” states Hughes. “The girls on this team are what make playing worthwhile. We all get along so well, and we have no clique issues. We all play for one another. We don’t play for ourselves. We are a very selfless team. On the field, we continue to push and challenge one another. I am amazed with the level of commitment we have with this team. Our pitchers come to practice 45 min early on our own time so we don’t have to miss out on team practice to get in our reps. On top of just those seven girls, we have three catchers and four other position players that dedicate their time to come and catch so that we can have the strongest pitching staff possible. I have never played for another team that has 14/18 girls consistently coming to practice early just so they can help out and better themselves for the team.”

Overall, the Cougars see this opportunity to be part of a Varsity Club sports program as a huge privilege. They value the program, their coaches, and each other so much that they are willing to put in the extra sacrifices for the betterment of the team and the program. As this playoff weekend approaches, the Cougars are arriving prepared and ready to play.

“I think at this point we are the most prepared that we can be,” Hughes remarks. “Last week we had a lot of midweek games and that really affected us mentally and physically. With usually practicing three times a week, our routine was a little different. But, this week we were able to get in some good quality swings and lots of reps on the infield and outfield as well as some pitching to work out any little kinks that we had been feeling after Sunday. Mentally, we are a very strong. Our focus as a team is to always have fun while we play. I always say if it isn’t fun, why do we do it? All around, we always play better and have better focus when we are having fun and joking around with one another. It’s the right balance of intensity and fun!”

With this preparation and balance between intensity and fun in place, the Cougars are truly a threat to place at the top of the competition this weekend. The rookies who have just come on board this season have joined the team of veterans to add more talent and depth to the team.

“The rookies this season have been great so far!” states Hughes. “We have some really good talent and depth position-wise among them. They continually surprise me with rising up to the challenge of playing on this team and bringing maturity to their game. They are always willing to ask questions and learn from some of our senior players. With the age gap that we have on the team, sometimes you would see a lot of hesitation and fear with first year players and some of your veteran players. That is most definitely not the case with us. It took them a while to warm up to a few of us senior players, but now that we’re into the season, you can’t even tell that there is a gap of nine years between some of our players. The first year players are phenomenal, and I know that they will grow into senior players that future rookies can look up to!”

With a unified group of girls on the team, the Cougars are looking to not only perform well throughout this playoff weekend, but also to support each other on and off the field no matter how much pressure they face.

“I think that pressure is not really a big deal for us” Hughes says. “We handle pressure very well, not just on a personal player to player level, but as a team. We can always count on one another to pick each other up when we need it. I as a pitcher know that my team is behind me on defense no matter what and that takes a lot of pressure off of our pitchers. There’s no mentality about having to strike everyone out because I know my team is there, and they’ve got my bat. We have a very strong offensive squad, and we have little to no issues putting runs up on the board. The thing about pressure is that it’s only there if you’re scared. We as a team have nothing to be scared about. We’re strong, aggressive, and smart, and nothing can take that away from us.”

The Cougars will start off their playoffs on Saturday with games against the Calgary Dinos, Briecrest Clippers, and SAIT Trojans at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. respectively. On Sunday, the Cougars will face their biggest rival the U of S Huskies at 9:30 a.m. Page playoffs will follow on Sunday.