The 5’3″ right-hander threw nearly 230 innings for the Fighting Irish last season, dominating across the board to the tune of a 2.55 ERA and 179 strikeouts in her inaugural year. With her twenty-two victories, Holloway became just the sixth pitcher in Notre Dame program history to hit the 20-win mark in her freshman season.
After the season, Holloway was named to the All-ACC second-team and earned a nod to the conference’s all-freshman team.
Recently, she sat down with us to talk about what led her originally to Notre Dame; her preparation going into the 2019 season; her favorite memories from her freshman year; and more!
Justin’s World of Softball: What led you to Notre Dame and made you decide to join the Fighting Irish for your collegiate career?
Alexis Holloway: I was raised as a Notre Dame fan and always knew there was something special about this place. The people, the atmosphere, the excellence in both academics and athletics; it’s just something that you can’t find elsewhere.
JWOS: What were your biggest takeaways – both personally and from your team – from the 2018 season?
Holloway: You have to possess a strong and focused mental game in order to compete at this level. The game always seems to throw something new at us and we have to be prepared both mentally and physically to take on a new challenge each and every day. Overall, I would say that we learn every day to come to the field and expect the unexpected.
JWOS: Tell me about your process and walk me through your pre-game routine.
Holloway: I try to keep it simple. There are a couple things that I will do religiously, but I just try to keep it minimal. Each and every game is different, so I think it’s best to be flexible in pregame because we have to be able to adapt in the game. Having a fluctuating pregame is a good habit in my opinion.
JWOS: With a season of college ball already under your belt, did your offseason preparation change going into this season?
Holloway: It definitely did change. I put a lot more work and effort into my mental game this offseason. Like I said before, that is a huge part of the game at this level and it was important that I improved from where I was last year. Other than that, it was business as usual. Just work every day to get ready for the competition to come this season.
JWOS: What was your favorite moment or memory from your freshman season at ND?
Holloway: Last year was such a roller coaster ride for me, but looking back, each and every moment was important in its own way. This game is so much more than what goes on between the chalk for seven innings each game. Some of my fondest memories from last season was the time that we spent as a team off of the field. We have such a great culture and an even better group of girls which makes the whole experience so much more memorable.
Shout out to the girls in my class because they brought and continue to bring me so many laughs. All the girls on the team find a way to make me smile each and every day. Our team is just such a fantastic group of girls. Everyone involved in our program makes it so enjoyable to play this game.
JWOS: What are your goals for yourself, and your team, for the 2019 season?
Holloway: We have the same goal as every other team in the country at this point and that is to be in Oklahoma City at the end of the season. We want to enjoy our time as a team, make the most out of this season, and just play the game. Personally, I have the same goal every year and that is to do what I can to keep this team on our path to Oklahoma City. When I am in the dugout, I strive to be a huge energy-giver to the girls on the field because that is a huge aspect of this game. Whenever I am on the field myself, I love to provide that same energy while putting my defense in the best position to get 21 easy outs.
JWOS: Who is your “role model” or “hero” in softball, someone who has inspired you or that you might even have modeled your game after?
Holloway: I have a younger sister who also plays, and I like to think of her as a role model. Most people think it is odd since she is younger than me, but she is a great inspiration. Even though we are four years apart, we grew up playing this awesome game together and she has always worked so hard. I am a huge fan of hard work, so she is someone who has always driven me to do more.
Photo via Notre Dame Athletic Communications/Mike Miller
