National Girls and Women in Sports Day began on Feb. 1, 1987 to bring national attention and recognition to girls and women in sports.
On this 36th anniversary, we asked a few of our female student-athletes to answer questions surrounding their experience as players and coaches.
Layla Tiongco, co-captain of the women's basketball team, said, "Playing basketball in college means everything to me because it has done so much for me as a person, so I'm grateful to be able to continue it during my college journey."
Volleyball player Ryann Mitchell coaches volleyball at a local club. When asked about practices, she shared, "Hard work is something I express to the younger athletes. It is important for them to understand the the discipline of working hard will prepare them for success in their growth as an athlete and as a person."
Melanie Ulrich was voted Most Dedicated female tennis player for the 2022 season. She said, "Playing collegiate tennis improved my skills while allowing me to meet new people. It also kept me busy and active in school. I believe that playing sports can teach you a lot; it taught me dedication and time management."
Tiongco's advice to young female athletes is, "Stay strong and true to yourself. You can only be as great as you allow yourself to be. Don't give up and keep working hard. You'll learn your love for the game through time. Whatever you do, play hard every minute you get."
