The Rowan softball team has had a successful start so far, currently boasting a record of 17-5 and positioning themselves well to potentially win the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) once again. Two significant contributors to their success have been sisters Payton and Zara MacNair.
Payton, the starting shortstop for the Profs, is entering her senior year on the team. As a veteran and leader, she has grown in her role over the years, despite it not coming naturally to her initially.
“She has improved as a leader every year she has been here and has become more vocal,” head coach Kim Wilson said. “When she first arrived, she was somewhat quiet. Being in a key position like shortstop, it took her a bit of time to find her footing.”
Over time, Payton has found her voice as a leader during her four years at Rowan and appreciates how college softball has pushed her out of her comfort zone.
“I have learned communication skills since I have been here,” Payton said. “I have been in a leadership position for a couple of years now. I have learned how to communicate not just with my teammates but also with my coaches, which has prepared me for life outside of softball.”
Payton is not only impressive as a leader but also as one of the best hitters on the team and in the NJAC as a whole. This season, she has started all 22 games and boasts a .400 batting average, a .404 on-base percentage, and a .613 slugging percentage. That average is the second highest on the team and 14th in the NJAC. She has realistic goals for herself for the rest of the season.
“One goal I have every season is to have fun,” Payton said. “That comes with playing well and playing within myself. I am also tough on myself when it comes to hitting, so I just want to stay nice and relaxed.”
Zara, on the other hand, is a freshman for the team who has started 13 of 20 games so far this season. Zara has a slash line of .250/.292/.273 while playing in right field. Wilson notices a difference in the sisters’ dispositions.
“Zara is the baby of the family,” Wilson said. “That makes her more outgoing than Payton. While Payton is quiet, Zara is not. There is a difference there. Zara is happy-go-lucky and has fit in well so far. They are two different beings, that’s for sure.”
As a freshman, it can sometimes be hard to adjust to the college level of play, but Zara has been ready for that adjustment.
“I have adjusted really well,” Zara said. “The girls on the team have helped with any questions I have had.”
The sisters almost had the opportunity to play together in high school, but circumstances prevented it.
“In high school, we were supposed to play on the same team,” Zara said. “But due to COVID, we were not able to. This is our redemption of being able to play with each other.”
Despite always wanting to play together, Payton did not try to influence where Zara would end up going to college.
“I do not say I had a massive part in influencing where she wanted to go,” Payton said. “She was always going to go somewhere where she wanted to go. I think my being here helped make the decision.”
Even though Zara was not directly influenced by her sister, she feels like Payton indirectly played a part in her decision.
“She was a factor,” Zara said. “She exposed me to the environment. I was always around the girls and always on campus. It also helped that she is the same major as me.”
Now that the sisters are finally able to play with each other, they are excited for the rest of the season.
“It means everything,” Payton said. “We played a little bit of club together, but she was really young so we never got to fully play with each other. It is a different dynamic to have your sister on the team. You have someone you are constantly looking out for, your number-one supporter is always there for you. I love it.”
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