North Carolina State University Athletics
Getting to Know: Sophomore Sara Lippard
1/19/2013 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 19, 2013
NC State's 2013 softball season begins on Feb. 8 at the Florida International Panther Invitational in Miami, with a new excitement as the fast-pitch program enters its 10th season under first-year head coach Shawn Rychcik.
The squad returns three seniors - Caitlin Dent, Katie Mansilla and Bethaney Wells - as well as 2012 ACC Rookie of the Year Renada Davis, a shortstop who set a school record last season with a batting average and on-base percentage.
On this year's roster of 14 players are three sophomores: Davis, pitcher Emily Weiman and outfielder Sara Lippard.
The versatile Lippard was the Wolfpack's top bat off the bench last year, posting a .283 batting average. She made a total of 15 starts at catcher, outfield and designated hitter and 40 appearances overall during her freshman season. She counts the home run she hit against Georgia Tech -- the first of her career -- as her top highlight from last year.
Sara Lippard
Wilson, N.C.
Wilson Christian Academy
Sophomore
Catcher, Outfield
June 13, 1993
Sport management
PERSONAL
Favorite movie: The Blind Side
Favorite magazine: People
Favorite song/band: Zac Brown Band
Favorite flavor of ice cream: Chocolate
Your ideal fast food meal: Chicken strips from Bojangles, cheese tots from Sonic, sweet tea from McDonalds, milkshake from Cookout
Favorite meal at a full-service restaurant: Steak and a baked potato
Career ambition: Coaching
What specific things did you do between the end of fall practice and the start of the spring semester to improve your game? Went to the field to hit, throw, and also went to the gym to workout.
What is your favorite training/practice activity? Hitting front toss on the field.
What is your least favorite training/practice activity? Running.
When did you first start playing softball, and did you play other sports before it? I started playing softball when I was 7 years old.
All sports you played in high school: Volleyball, basketball, softball
POP CULTURE
iphone or Droid? Iphone
Song/artist most played on your MP3 player: Zac Brown Band
Song/artist on your iPod that you are embarrassed to admit that you listen to: Nothing
The TV channel or show you most watch: E!
ESPN/MTV/Food Network (which are you more likely to watch): ESPN
Favorite accessory in your wardrobe: Boots
Give your dress style a nickname/explain: Comfy, sweatpants and t-shirts
Something that you cannot live without: My phone
Besides NC State, what place do you like most in North Carolina: The beach
YOU & YOUR TEAMMATES
Best cook on the team: Bethaney Wells
Favorite "home-cooked" meal: Pork chops, zucchini and squash
Best dresser on the team: Caitlin Dent
Best singer on the team: Leah Jones
Most likely to play professionally: Renada Davis
Most likely to be voted into NC State Athletics Hall of Fame some day: Renada Davis
Favorite (non-athletics) activity with your teammates: Going to the movies
Based on your experiences last year, what advice do you have for this year's three freshmen? Stay on top of your grades because it gets a little harder to keep up when we start the season.
FAMILY MATTERS
Siblings: Brother, Ryan Lippard
What/how many pets did you have growing up: Dog Max
Favorite vacation location: Myrtle Beach/Disney World
What's the thing you miss most about home (besides family): My friends and home cooked meals.
ALL SPORTS, ALL THE TIME
Sports idol as a child: Jennie Finch
Most famous athlete you have ever met (Besides Coach Rychcik): Lisa Fernandez and Andrea Duran Favorite team: Texas Rangers
Person in sports that you would most like to meet/why: Jennie Finch. Very respected and successful softball player.
Proudest moment from last season: Hitting my first collegiate home run against Georgia Tech.
Most memorable moment from last season: Beating Georgia on their home field!
