Rizzi Ready For Sophomore Campaign With Wolfpack

With just over two weeks left until the 2018 softball season begins, sophomore transfer Angie Rizzi is more than ready for her first season as a member of the Wolfpack to get underway. With a semester already under her belt at NC State, she will look to take the collegiate experience she's already gained and play a contributing role within this year's talented squad.

"I'm so excited for this season," Rizzi said. "Our first few weeks of practice have been really good. Everyone's commitment and work ethic is there and we're all really excited to get the season started. I think if we keep that mentality going and keep getting better it's going to be a good year for us."

A Tuckahoe, N.Y., native, Rizzi initially chose to attend LIU Brooklyn out of high school because of her lifelong dream to live in the city and the convenience of having her family close by. As a freshman she started all 52 games in the outfield for the Blackbirds and finished second on the team with a .354 batting average, 57 hits and 37 runs.

After making the decision to find a new home and knowing NC State was in need of a speedy outfielder, Rizzi got into contact with head coach Shawn Rychcik.

"I emailed Coach (Rychcik) my release and transcripts and probably 10 minutes later he called me and we talked on the phone for a while. He sounded really interested and after a couple of phone calls he asked me to come down for a visit so my dad and I took the first plane out that Monday after initially talking to him the Friday before."

When she took her visit, Raleigh quickly felt like home for Rizzi.

"It was such a different experience from New York and the city, but as soon as I stepped foot on campus and saw the facilities and the school I fell in love with it and could picture myself playing here," explained Rizzi.

"The facilities are amazing. I connected with the coaches really well and through the conversations I had with them they made me feel really welcomed. They also thought that I could be really successful here and said they could help me be successful."

With the 2018 serving as a new chapter in her career, Rizzi had to adjust to a new program, school and city but has acclimated well despite so many changes.

"At first, it was difficult. I didn't know what my teammates would think of me because I am a transfer sophomore. I didn't know if I would get along with them or how it would be at a bigger school away from home, but I think I've transitioned really well and everyone's so nice," said Rizzi. "At first I was missing home because it's a nine-hour drive, but I got used to it and just concentrated on school and softball and it's worked out well."

Looking back on her first few months in Raleigh, she's more than pleased with her decision to find a new home.

"It's worked out so well. It was probably the best decision I ever made to transfer," Rizzi said. "I did well in school and think I played really well in the fall while proving myself. I was able to show the coaches what I could do because they never saw me play until I got here. Everything they knew about me was based off of meeting me but I think they were surprised and are really happy to have me."

Rizzi and the rest of the Pack will open the 2018 campaign Feb. 9 versus Georgetown at the FGCU Kickoff Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. First pitch is slated for 2:30 p.m.

North Carolina State University Athletics

Rizzi Ready For Sophomore Campaign With Wolfpack

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