Get to Know You: McKenna Arriola and Lovie Lopez
January 22, 2018 | Softball
Arriola and Lopez are in their fourth year at OSU
For the weeks leading up to the regular season, fans will get a chance to learn about every member of the 2017-18 Oregon State softball team.
For the final week, we meet up with McKenna Arriola and Lovie Lopez in their fourth year as student-athletes for the Oregon State softball program. Arriola is a shortstop from West Hills, Calif., and Lopez is an outfielder from Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
Why did you choose Oregon State?
McKenna Arriola: I chose Oregon State because of how amazing this small town is. It is beautiful year round and is filled with such a supportive and involved community.
Lovie Lopez: I came to Oregon State to play for THE Laura Berg.
What do you enjoy about your major?
MA (Economics): What I love most about my major is how I can incorporate it into my daily life.
LL (Criminal Justice): I like learning about crime and stuff like that.
What do you like most about playing softball?
MA: The thing I love most are the friendships I've made from it. Yes, the competition within the game is fun, but that only lasts so long. The friendships I make last a lifetime.
LL: It's a game of failure. 75% of the time, you're going to fail, but that 25% success rate is what I live for.
What is your favorite thing about playing for Coach Berg?
MA: My favorite thing about playing for Coach Berg is her intensity. She knows how to get us fired up and ready to play.
LL: We have the same mind set when it comes to playing the game. There's nothing better than being on the same page with your coach.
What does your uniform number mean to you?
MA: It has always been my favorite number.
LL (29): Natasha Watley was/is my athletic idol and she wore 29.
What are the team goals for this season?
MA: The team goal for this season is of course OKC, but to get there, we have to take it one pitch at a time and trust each other on the field.
LL: To be consistent.
What is your personal goal for the season?
MA: My personal goal for this season is to just have fun. I am a senior so I want to make it the most fun and memorable year as I can.
LL: To get faster, stronger and better than I've ever been.
What athlete did you idolize growing up and why?
MA: Kobe Bryant was my idol growing up. His passion for the game really showed on the court and that is something I strive to do myself.
LL: Natasha Watley, she's a beast.
What age did you know you wanted to play softball in college and what made you realize that?
MA: At age 13 is when I realized I wanted to play softball in college. It was my first year playing travel ball and I love how competitive it got.
LL: Growing up I always knew I was going to be playing softball for a long time. It was when iw as about 13 that I knew I was going to play in the Pac-12.
What song/band is most likely to be playing on your phone?
MA: (No answer)
LL: Legit anything.
Do you have any pregame rituals or traditions?
MA: (No answer)
LL: I have OCD so my whole life is a ritual.
What current show could you see yourself being a part of?
MA: I could see myself being a part of Vanderpump Rules because it is one of my favorite shows.
LL: Nitro Circus.
What is the best thing about living in Corvallis?
MA: The best thing about living in Corvallis is the supportive community and beautiful scenery.
LL: Being able to experience all four seasons in a year.
What is your biggest phobia?
MA: (No answer)
LL: Not sure I want to reveal my weakness.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
MA: In my spare time I enjoy lying in bed, watching Netflix and eating extra buttered microwave popcorn.
LL: Anything.
What is your favorite place on campus to hang out?
MA: (No answer)
LL: At home with my super cool roommates.
Nickname:
MA: Ken or Kenna
LL: Love, Lovie Love, Lover (anything associated with love because, apparently, 'Lovie' is too long for some people to say)
Favorite movie:
MA: (No answer)
LL: Remember the Titans
Go-to food spot in Corvallis:
MA: Chipotle
LL: Taco Bell
Favorite vacation destination:
MA: Anywhere tropical
LL: Cabo San Lucas
Words to live by:
MA: (No answer)
LL: Don't stop 'til you get enough. – Michael Jackson
For the final week, we meet up with McKenna Arriola and Lovie Lopez in their fourth year as student-athletes for the Oregon State softball program. Arriola is a shortstop from West Hills, Calif., and Lopez is an outfielder from Santa Fe Springs, Calif.
Why did you choose Oregon State?
McKenna Arriola: I chose Oregon State because of how amazing this small town is. It is beautiful year round and is filled with such a supportive and involved community.
Lovie Lopez: I came to Oregon State to play for THE Laura Berg.
What do you enjoy about your major?
MA (Economics): What I love most about my major is how I can incorporate it into my daily life.
LL (Criminal Justice): I like learning about crime and stuff like that.
What do you like most about playing softball?
MA: The thing I love most are the friendships I've made from it. Yes, the competition within the game is fun, but that only lasts so long. The friendships I make last a lifetime.
LL: It's a game of failure. 75% of the time, you're going to fail, but that 25% success rate is what I live for.
What is your favorite thing about playing for Coach Berg?
MA: My favorite thing about playing for Coach Berg is her intensity. She knows how to get us fired up and ready to play.
LL: We have the same mind set when it comes to playing the game. There's nothing better than being on the same page with your coach.
What does your uniform number mean to you?
MA: It has always been my favorite number.
LL (29): Natasha Watley was/is my athletic idol and she wore 29.
What are the team goals for this season?
MA: The team goal for this season is of course OKC, but to get there, we have to take it one pitch at a time and trust each other on the field.
LL: To be consistent.
What is your personal goal for the season?
MA: My personal goal for this season is to just have fun. I am a senior so I want to make it the most fun and memorable year as I can.
LL: To get faster, stronger and better than I've ever been.
What athlete did you idolize growing up and why?
MA: Kobe Bryant was my idol growing up. His passion for the game really showed on the court and that is something I strive to do myself.
LL: Natasha Watley, she's a beast.
What age did you know you wanted to play softball in college and what made you realize that?
MA: At age 13 is when I realized I wanted to play softball in college. It was my first year playing travel ball and I love how competitive it got.
LL: Growing up I always knew I was going to be playing softball for a long time. It was when iw as about 13 that I knew I was going to play in the Pac-12.
What song/band is most likely to be playing on your phone?
MA: (No answer)
LL: Legit anything.
Do you have any pregame rituals or traditions?
MA: (No answer)
LL: I have OCD so my whole life is a ritual.
What current show could you see yourself being a part of?
MA: I could see myself being a part of Vanderpump Rules because it is one of my favorite shows.
LL: Nitro Circus.
What is the best thing about living in Corvallis?
MA: The best thing about living in Corvallis is the supportive community and beautiful scenery.
LL: Being able to experience all four seasons in a year.
What is your biggest phobia?
MA: (No answer)
LL: Not sure I want to reveal my weakness.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
MA: In my spare time I enjoy lying in bed, watching Netflix and eating extra buttered microwave popcorn.
LL: Anything.
What is your favorite place on campus to hang out?
MA: (No answer)
LL: At home with my super cool roommates.
Nickname:
MA: Ken or Kenna
LL: Love, Lovie Love, Lover (anything associated with love because, apparently, 'Lovie' is too long for some people to say)
Favorite movie:
MA: (No answer)
LL: Remember the Titans
Go-to food spot in Corvallis:
MA: Chipotle
LL: Taco Bell
Favorite vacation destination:
MA: Anywhere tropical
LL: Cabo San Lucas
Words to live by:
MA: (No answer)
LL: Don't stop 'til you get enough. – Michael Jackson
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