Last season Missy Taukeiaho has a great season earning NFCA All-American Third Team, NFCA All-West Region First Team, All-Big West Conference Player of the Year and All-Big West Conference First Team honors. She also set a school single season record for runs (62) and batted .429 with 19 home runs. She has started this season just as she left off and after the first weekend she is hitting .563 with three home runs and four RBI in just 16 at-bats. Let’s get to know more about this offensive power.
FPN: At what age did you decide that you wanted to become an elite/college softball player, why?
Taukeiaho: I first decided that I wanted to be an elite/college player around the age of eight when I first started playing and watching games. I had done a lot of other things before that I was never interested in continuing but the minute I started playing I immediately loved it, started watching the college teams play and told myself I’d be there some day and ever since then that was always the goal.
FPN: When did you hit your first home run? How did it make you feel?
Taukeiaho: I don’t really remember when I hit my first home run. But I know that when I was younger and even now my favorite thing to do was hit the ball as far and hard as possible. It made me feel really strong and confident knowing that I could hit like that.
FPN: Some advice to people who want to follow your path; what are three things you should do to help yourself improve as a player?
Taukeiaho: Some advice I like to give to others who also want to follow the path I have is that it’s a true sacrifice of a “normal” kids social life. Growing up I never really attended birthday parties, family events only when I could and we definitely never went on vacations. So just know that in order to get to where you want to be you have to realize you’re going to make sacrifices but it’ll pay you back in the end. Three things you should do to help improve yourself as a player should be: First, ALWAYS work hard and give everything you have day in and day out starting at practices/lessons and then following into games. Second, Be a coachable player and know how to handle constructive criticism. Third, know how to compete. When you step out on the field the stage is yours and have fun with it.
FPN: What is the first thing you look forward to in the off-season, why?
Taukeiaho: The first thing I look forward to in the off-season is a little break from all the madness. Just some down time to do non-related softball activities and then after a couple weeks relaxing get right back to work. It’s always nice to do things aside from playing and practicing 24/7 because it keeps you going instead of burning you out.
FPN: What difficulties did you encounter transitioning from high school to college? (– softball or just college wise)
Taukeiaho: Transitioning from high school to college was difficult for me in the beginning because I really struggled with time managing myself especially with the busy schedule it was overwhelming. But once I got the hang of things I was on a set schedule everyday between class, workouts, homework and study hall and of course eating and sleeping somewhere in between.
FPN: After a game, what is your favorite thing to eat, why?
Taukeiaho: I don’t really have a specific meal I like to eat after games but normally me and my family or teammates will do some type of fast food or a sit down restaurant on special occasions.
FPN: What genre of music gets you most ready to play a game, why?
Taukeiaho: I like to listen to hip hop/rap or any type of upbeat music before a game just to get me going mentally. I always have to listen to my music before a game because it’s part of my pregame ritual
Extra Innings
FPN: Which do you like better, Chipotle or Taco Bell
Taukeiaho: I would definitely take chipotle over Taco Bell
