Jan. 28, 2013

Softball Countdown: Steviee Grove

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• 24 Hawkeyes to Watch

In our countdown to the start of the 2013 softball season, we will feature all 24 Hawkeyes.

Steviee Grove is a junior from Indianola, Iowa. Steviee is a triplet, along with UI teammates Malloree and Brittanee. The catcher, who wears No. 35, appeared in one game in 2012 after joining the team at the start of the second semester in January. Grove collected her first hit as a Hawkeye in a pinch-hitting role in Iowa's 26-5 rout of Iowa State on Feb. 18. In 2011, she played in 20 games with 16 starts at Indiana State.

Iowa opens the season Feb. 8 in Houston, Texas. The Hawkeyes face Lipscomb and Texas State at the Hilton Houston Plaza Classic.

What was the key factor in your recruitment that led you to Iowa City and the Hawkeye softball program?
"Every little softball player who lives in Iowa wants to be a Hawkeye. I am so lucky I got the chance to come here and fulfill that dream. I transferred here for that reason, but also to be with my sisters who are hard to go without."

What facet of your game has improved the most since last spring?
"My confidence has improved a lot, which really has helped facilitate my game in many ways."

What are your individual goals for the upcoming season?
"I want to be the player the team can turn to when the game is on the line."

Is there any significance to the jersey number you wear?
"It is Justin Verlander's number -- I am a big Detroit Tigers fan."

How is your academic path coming along?
"I have been a political science major, but I recently changed my other major from international studies to international relations. Now, I really have to focus on getting into law school."

Who is the most influential person in your life?
"Both of my parents."

What is your first softball memory?
"Playing catch and taking grounders in the yard with my dad."

Who is your favorite professional athlete?
"Ryan Dungey or the entire Detroit Tigers team."

If you were cast on a reality TV show, which one would you prefer to be on and why?
"Probably The Voice or some singing show. I would love to have the ability to do something musical, but I have no musical talent whatsoever."

What is your favorite TV show?
"The Mentalist."

What did you want to grow-up to be when you were a kid?
"I wanted to be a genetic engineer or a paleontologist."

As a spectator, what is your favorite sport?
"Baseball or Motocross."

What is your most prized possession?
"I'm not sure if its considered prized, but I love my laptop; I use it all the time."

What is your favorite food/meal?
"Pizza!"

Do you have any superstitions, on or off the playing field?
"Not really, although I don't like stepping on the foul lines."

What is your favorite restaurant in the Iowa City area?
"Olive Garden."

What is your favorite music?
"Alternative and pop/rock. My favorite bands are Paradise Fears and The Summer Set."

What is one place you want to visit?
"Egypt. I used to know all the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs for our alphabet."

What would be your ideal career?
"A Constitutional Lawyer."

What is one word that describes you?
"Megalomaniac -- I have an intense desire to succeed."