???The softball team is off to their best start since joining Division I, and the team's cohesion has been the key to their success. The roster contains numerous athletes that support each other and work together to form a cohesive unit.
???Junior outfielder Kristen Gallipani is a true example of what it means to be a great teammate.
???Although Gallipani is suffering from one the worst slumps of her career, she continues to keep her head up high and offer support and advice to her teammates.
???"She's a great teammate, works extremely hard and thinks about others - whether we're doing well or not," said head coach Jennifer Teague. "It's tough to be in a slump; you just got to keep swinging. Each athlete is different - it depends on them."
???This is not the first time Gallipani has encountered adversity.
???While playing softball for Brewster High School, Gallipani fell victim to her first of multiple injuries.
???"I felt like I lost my identity," Gallipani said. "All my friends were softball players and I was known as a softball player, so not being able to play was tough"
???Gallipani found direction for her life through her injury. She engaged in physical therapy, which helped her find a passion for helping people get past injuries.
???The junior now attends Buffalo and is looking to get her degree in physical therapy.
???Her first year at Buffalo provided more hardship. In her second game as a Bull, she suffered another injury and was out for the remainder of the season.
???"The toughest part of my second injury was sitting there all season long in my first year in college," Gallipani said. "But throughout it all, it made me stronger."
???Gallipani came back from the injury the following season and became a key contributor. She scored the most runs on her team (24) and placed second in batting average (.296) and RBIs (19).
???Though she has experienced individual success, Gallipani has always been focused on the success of her team. Throughout her struggles this season, she continues to keep her head up high and cheer on her team's success.
???"I think about everyone else. I'm so worried about letting my team down, I want to do everything for family, and teammates," she said.
???This selflessness defines Gallipani. The most difficult aspect of her slump is the anxiety about letting her team down. According to Teague, although Kristen is in a slump, she does everything in her power to get on base and score runs. No matter what it takes to win games, Gallipani will do it for her team.
???The junior outfielder knows she plays a big role in their success, a fact that puts more pressure on her to succeed. After experiencing previous struggles, Gallipani is determined to come out of her slump and help her team get to its first ever Mid-American Conference Tournament.
???As Teague concurs, the perseverance and a great selflessness is what makes Gallipani a great player and great teammate, and she is definitely a crucial part of their success this season.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
