New Paltz athletic communications intern Ava Yurchison caught up with senior Jordan Fiore of the New Paltz softball team for the week 20 release of the 2015-16 Senior Spotlight series that will have a new senior interviewed every Monday.

Q: Why did you choose to come to New Paltz?
A: "When I first started looking at colleges, I knew that I wanted to go away, but I wanted to be able to come home on the weekends if I got homesick. Softball, of course, played a role in my choice as well. New Paltz was the perfect distance, and I was so excited to play for my first coach, Coach Denise [Marchese]. When I came for my official visit, I fell in love with the campus and the overall atmosphere of the town. I knew that New Paltz was going to be my home for the next four years."

Q: Who inspires you to be the player that you are?
A: "My parents are my inspiration for the player that I am. I wouldn't be the woman or the softball player I am today if it wasn't for their love and constant support both on and off of the field. Through all of the batting lessons, tournament weekends, early Sunday morning practices, family events I've missed and so many more, my parents have been my rocks. I couldn't thank them enough for everything they've done for me."

Q: Do you have any game day rituals or preparations?
A: "If we're away for a weekend, I like to listen to music on my phone before we get off of the bus. I also like to have the same warm up routine before we start the game. As a team, we have a cheer that we do to pump us up before we take the field or get up to bat."

Q: How is your relationship with your coach?
A: "My relationship with my coach is awesome. She's an amazing coach and overall person. She is always looking out for our team's best interest in every decision that she makes. If there's a conflict or something we need to talk to her about, she's very approachable, and we can walk right into her office to talk to her. She's really helpful if we're confused about our class schedules and fitting in the right classes to work with our practices. On the field, our coach is knowledgable, intense and positive, and we always feed off of her energy during our games."

Q: What is your plan post graduation?
A: "My plan post graduation is to continue to work at home at a special education preschool and to go to graduate school to get my master's in special education."