New Hyde Park Memorial senior Angelina Fernandez had the amazing distinction recently when she was inducted into New Hyde Park’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
“Angelina is the type of athlete that any coach would be lucky to have on their team,” said coach Jackie Rizzuti, who coached Fernandez in volleyball and softball. “She has an excellent work ethic towards any task she takes on. Angelina is reliable, understanding and a leads by example. Having Angelina on the team is like having another coach. She is a true role model to all her teammates and younger athletes of New Hyde Park Memorial.”
Recently, Fernandez answered some questions from the New Hyde Park Illustrated News about her love for volleyball and softball, her most memorable game and the best advice she’s ever received.
Q: Is there one game that has been most memorable this season as a softball player?
A: My last game, which was our playoff game at Calhoun was most memorable because it’s when I had my last at-bat forever. I just kept thinking how it was going to be over after all these years playing each inning.
Q: What does it mean to you to be inducted into the NHP Hall of Fame? That’s a huge accomplishment.
A: It is a great accomplishment. It was something I looked at on the walls as a seventh grader and wished one day I would get it and I did.
Q: Do you have any rituals before any game to get into the right head space?
A: I listen to my own music and focus at every at-bat and when I warmed up.
Q: What attracted you to the sports of softball and volleyball?
A: Softball is a game I’ve been playing since I was three years old. My older sister played; that’s how I started to love the game. I would practice at her practice. Volleyball always looked like a fun sport so I tried it and loved it. My skills from softball helped me serve the ball in volleyball.
Q: Do you have any sports inspirations in terms of professional players?
A: I never really had an inspirational player, who was professional. I just mostly focused on doing my job. Past players who have graduated before me were my inspiration. I wanted to have the power at-bat, make plays as good as them and be a great player on the field as they were.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received in terms of sportsmanship?
A: The best advice I’ve ever received was if you make a bad play there’s always a play you can make up for it; just do better in the next play or at bat.
