Growing up in Hawaii, I never imagined I’d become a professional athlete.
It wasn’t that I doubted my ability—I just didn’t know it was possible.
As a little girl, I only knew of one team: Team USA.
I had no idea that women had professional sports leagues, let alone that I could one day be part of one.
But life has a way of leading you toward the places you’re meant to be.
Today, I’m blessed to call myself a professional softball player, and I carry that responsibility with pride.
As women athletes, we don’t just represent ourselves.
We represent our sport, our teammates, and the generations that came before us.
Every move we make is under a microscope, and that’s why I strive to carry myself with grace and professionalism.
I want people to see the work we put in, the passion we have, and the incredible potential of our sport.
Oklahoma prepared me for this.
Coach Gasso always said, “When you come into the program, you come in as a girl, and you leave as a woman.”
That transformation—of learning discipline, resilience, and confidence—stays with me every single day.
I want to leave a legacy not just as an athlete, but as someone who helped push this sport forward. We know how much talent exists in women’s sports.
Now, it’s just about getting people to recognize it and invest in it.
And I’m honored to be part of that movement.
My Time at OU
When I committed to Oklahoma, my goal was simple: win a national championship.
Early on, I wasn’t too focused on where I earned my degree—I just knew I wanted to make sure my parents wouldn’t have to carry that financial burden.
And, above all, I wanted to win.
I got that and so much more.
I entered college with a championship in mind, but I left with wisdom beyond my years. OU shaped me in ways I never expected.
When I first arrived, I felt the weight of playing for a powerhouse program.
But my travel ball coach had prepared me for tough competition, and I was ready.
I knew Coach Gasso would challenge me, and I welcomed that challenge.
From the start, I had a choice: be along for the ride or make a name for myself.
I wasn’t going to waste my five years. I embraced the grind and never looked back.
That mentality carried through to one of the toughest yet most rewarding experiences of my career—the 2021 Women’s College World Series.
After losing to James Madison in the first game, we had to fight our way through the loser’s bracket to win it all.
That national championship meant everything, not just because of the victory but because of the resilience it required.
The emotions, the unity, the relentless fight—it was everything softball should be.
Breaking the home run record was another defining moment.
But I never wanted it to be just about me.
It was a win for softball.
A win for women’s sports.
A win for every little girl who dreams of playing at the highest level.
Breaking that record in front of my family in Hawaii made it even more special.
The last time I played on that field, I won a state championship.
To return and make history there was surreal.
The stadium was packed, fans were watching from parking garages—it was electric.
Softball in Hawaii is where my journey began, and the love and support from my home state will always be something I cherish.
More than an Athlete
Coach Gasso’s influence didn’t stop at the softball field.
She didn’t just coach us—she prepared us for life.
She taught us how to demand more for ourselves, how to carry ourselves with confidence, and how to step into the world as strong women.
She emphasized professionalism, from how we dressed to how we conducted ourselves in meetings.
We even had etiquette dinners to learn the nuances of dining in professional settings.
She wasn’t just our coach—she was our mentor and a mother figure.
Coming from a Polynesian household, family has always been a core value in my life. When I arrived at OU, I immediately felt that same sense of family.
The transition wasn’t easy, but my teammates made it feel like home.
We came from different backgrounds, but we operated as one.
We had a shared goal, and every day, we worked to achieve it together.
That sense of family extended beyond my immediate team.
The OU alumni network is incredibly strong.
I remember the first time I met Lauren Chamberlain—she posted about me during my freshman year, and I was ecstatic. The home run queen herself was excited about my journey.
That moment spoke volumes about what Coach Gasso had built: a program where athletes support each other long after they’ve left the field.
Now, as an alum myself, I make it a point to stay connected with the younger athletes. Watching them wear the same jersey and continue the legacy fills me with pride.
I love the program, the people, and the impact it continues to have on the game.
Seeing the sport grow, witnessing the new stadium, and knowing the program continues to elevate—it’s all amazing.
And every bit of it is deserved.
For the Future
Transitioning to the professional level hasn’t been easy, but I’ve embraced the challenge.
The biggest adjustment has been self-discipline.
In college, you have a team, a schedule, and a support system guiding your every move. In the pros, it’s all on you.
No one holds your hand.
You have to know what you need and how to get it done.
The structure is gone, but the fire remains.
When my career is over, I want to be remembered for two things.
First, I want to be known as a great teammate—someone who lifted others up and made the game better. Second, I want to be remembered for pushing the sport forward.
I’ve been incredibly blessed in this sport, and my story is still being written.
But one thing is certain: I’ll never stop fighting to push this game forward.
Because softball deserves it.
And so do the athletes who come next.
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