UCA senior pitcher Kylee Studioso is looking to have another great year as the Bears’ ace.

S h e s t a r t e d playing tee-ball when she was 5 years old and softball at 7 years old.

She grew up playing multiple sports.

“I grew up doing dance and gymnastics, along with basketball,” she said. “Then in high school, I did volleyball and basketball, along with league softball.”

Studioso attended Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood, Washington, and played for the Northwest Lady Sharks from 2006-2011.

Growing up, she wanted to attend the University of Texas, but after meeting the UCA coaching staff and seeing the campus, she said her choice was easy to make.

“My senior year of high school and actually all growing up, I wanted to go to the University of Texas,” Studioso said. “I was a junior college transfer last year and after meeting the coaching staff and seeing the campus, my decision was pretty easy as to come to UCA to finish my schooling.”

Before UCA, she attended Weatherford Junior College, and her team went to nationals as a second year program.

Her collegiate career as a Division I athlete has let her live her dream.

“My collegiate career has been the best experience of my life,” Studioso said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Even though I went a different route getting to Division 1, I am living my dream of being a D1 athlete. I would also say my career has been successful and fun.”

Being a D1 athlete has allowed her to go places that she wouldn’t have been able to go otherwise.

Studioso said her best memory at UCA is hard to choose.

“The bus trips to LSU and South Florida are up there,” she said. “I love getting to see stadiums I saw as a little girl on TV. The bus trips with the girls are always fun, too. Another one was in conference tournament last year playing Sam Houston. The game was such a good game and we were all pulling for each other.”

After she graduates, Studioso plans on getting her master’s degree and begin coaching.

Her advice to the team’s freshmen is that being a Division I athlete is never easy, and that it’s the hardest days that make you stronger.

“The body is stronger than the mind,” she said. “The mind will shut down before the body has too, being mentally tough is key. The friends you make here are the people that will impact your lives most. They are the people that will have your back through thick and thin, and people that you will want to talk to everyday.”

Last season was Studioso’s first year as a Bear and she posted a 17-11 win/loss record with a 3.20 earned run average in those games.

Studioso faced 700 batters last season, with her opponents hitting a .249 batting average. She pitched five shutouts last season.

Studioso and the Bears softball team head to Lafayette, Louisiana to participate in the Louisiana– Lafayette Tournament on Feb. 6-8.