University of North Carolina Athletics
Q & A With Seniors Anna Tharrington, Quinn Porter and Tiffany Tolleson
January 31, 2003 | Softball
Seniors Anna Tharrington (Rocky Mount, N.C.), Quinn Porter (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) and Tiffany Tolleson (Winter Haven, Fla.) begin their final season in a Tar Heel uniform this Sunday, Feb. 2, at #20 South Carolina. This trio knows that this season is their last chance to leave their mark in the softball tradition here at Carolina. TarHeelBlue.com sat down with them and asked what their expectations are for themselves and the team heading into 2003.
THB: What are some of your team and individual goals heading into your final season of collegiate softball?
Tharrington: "Like each one of the girls on the team, I want us to be competitive and win some championships this year. We are definitely capable of capturing the ACC championship and going to post-season play, so there is no doubt that our team wants to accomplish these goals.
"I think a team goal that is equally important is that our team is going to be more aggressive this year. We have girls that can run and put the pressure on other teams, and I think everyone will see a Carolina team with a ton of heart and desire.
"Personally, an individual goal that I have set for myself is that I want to be a positive leader on the team and set a good example for the younger girls. I have set high standards for myself in that I want to be a consistent force both offensively and defensively and intend to be more aggressive behind the plate."
Porter: "We are looking to take control of the ACC and win our title back, followed by winning our region and being able to be a part of the softball World Series."
"I would like to have my best offensive season here at Carolina and contribute to the team through RBI's and consistent at bats."
Tolleson: "Our ultimate goal is to win ACC's and receive a bid to regionals. This is the most talented team I've ever been a part of so I really believe that these goals are very reachable."
THB: What has been the greatest experience up to this point you've had at North Carolina?
Tharrington: "Without a doubt, I'd say the best experience I've had at Carolina has been having the opportunity to play on the team with so many great girls. I've formed close friendships with many of them, and I am sure that those friendships will last long after the season ends.
"I've also had the opportunity to travel across the country with these girls (and my loyal family). I'm thankful that I've gotten a chance to see so many places that other people my age haven't experienced.
"On the softball field, the greatest experience I have had here at UNC has been the Buzz Classic tournament my junior year where I hit my first grand slam and was on the all-tournament team. It was exciting to finally get out there and play like everyone knew I could and to see the team play up to its potential.
"After this year, I'm sure I'll have a long list of 'best moments' as this team definitely has what it takes to make this one the best yet."
Tolleson: My best experience I've had was last year at the ACC Tournament in Tallahassee, Fla. Kelly Ramsey went up to the plate in the bottom of the seventh (tied at two), we had white towels and were spinning them around, yelling and jumping. Then she smashed a home run and it was like we just won the World Series. It was sweet revenge and a great Tar Heel victory."
Porter: "I think being a part of a softball team and being able to experience Carolina as a student-athlete."
THB: Do you have specific expectations of yourself this year and your teammates?
Tolleson: I want to leave it all out on the field now more than ever! As a team, I want us to have fun. If you love the game you're playing then you will win based on heart."
Porter: "For myself, I expect nothing less than the utmost focus and dedication through the whole season. I think the same can be said about my expectations for the team."
Tharrington: "Definitely. I expect a lot of myself this year. I expect myself to be the kind of leader that this team needs and to remain positive when we need it most. I expect myself to perform my best at all times. I know this is my last season, and I want it to be the best one yet!
"As for the team, I think that this group has the most talent I have seen here in four years. But, with great talent comes great expectations. My only expectation for this team is that we live up to our potential. If we can play each game with the skill and heart that I know our team has, everything else (the Conference games, the ACC championship, etc.) will fall into place."
THB: Being your final season, did you change your offseason workout or was it business as usual?
Porter: "I think I worked more on becoming a mentally stronger player, both in the field and as a hitter. In terms of working out, last season I came into the season a lot stronger and more prepared to play and win, and I think that has carried over into this season as well."
Tharrington: "I didn't change much. I ran more this summer than I have in past summers. I think I was motivated to shed some pounds, and figured that it couldn't hurt my game to be in better shape when the season began.
"Otherwise, I stuck to the offseason workout. Our weight/conditioning coach is pretty good at determining what will get me in the best shape and ready to play ... so I just left that part up to the coaches."
Tolleson: I had surgery this past summer, so I had to work extremely hard to catch up with everyone else. Once I caught up, it was back to the usual offseason workout routine."
THB: In your eyes, what would you see as a successful season for yourself and the team?
Tolleson: "Oklahoma City or BUST!"
Porter: "I have my eyes on the ACC and Regional titles. Although we cannot always control wins and losses, I think we can control our hustle, attitudes, and commitment to this team and program. I think that will show in terms of our success throughout the season."
Tharrington: "I think I would know that both myself and the team were successful in May if we walked off the field and were able to look back on our season and honestly say that we did all that we could to win, and that we played every game to our full potential. In our mission statement, we talk a lot about heart, intensity, aggressiveness and leaving it all on the field. If we do those things, there's no doubt in my mind that we'll be a very successful team and will shock alot of people this year.
"For me personally, the answer remains similar. Individually, I want to be a contributor to the team and make sure that I am doing my part to make us a better team. Regardless of wins and losses (although we always want to be the winners), if I can leave each game behind without the 'what if's' and the 'should have's' and can say that I held my own and gave the entire game my best effort, I will consider this season a success for myself."
