Sunday, May 18 — As I packed my things tonight I took time to recall a memory from each item that reminded me of everything I have experienced in the last four years.

I looked at my passes from last year's regionals and super regionals; I looked at my arm bands that I religiously put on before each game; I looked at my worn out cleats that I refused to replace despite a growing hole in the side; I looked at my torn batting gloves; my bat; my old goal books from years past; all the way to my pink Tonka truck I keep in the side pocket. I held up my jersey, wondering who would wear it next year.

Then it hit me: My college softball career is over!!!

My time has expired. I will never step into the Rainbow Wahine Stadium as a player, as a competitor, I am now an alumna, a fan, a supporter of players to come.

Every player who has filtered through the program has tried to make a mark in history. The group of players graduating along side me has done that. Jessica Morton, Valana Manuma, Brandi Peiler, Kaulana Gould, and I have accomplished more than we envisioned. We have grown as people. We have overcome adversity. We have bonded together to raise the standards for those to come.

These last few days have been tough; the playing conditions physically draining, the stakes high, and the odds against us. We sweat, we hurt, with glimpses of hope lingering, but in the end we fell short.

I have regrets — wishing I did one thing instead of another-but in the end that is why competition is so dramatic. I will keep with me the amazing moments that defied everything I thought was possible.

One of those moments was beating Fresno State in the seventh inning up 2-1 when they had bases-loaded and two outs. I was on the mound and the batter hit a sharp grounder up the middle. When out of nowhere, I see second baseman Alana Power flying to the ball, backhand it, and step on second base to win the game. That was the first time the school had ever won a series against Fresno.

Another moment was beating UCLA in extra innings on their home field to advance to the Super Regionals. ... coming back from a 9-0 loss to No. 1 Tennessee to win the next game and knocking the 2007 National Player of the Year and U.S. Olympian, Monica Abbott, from the pitcher's circle in the first inning.

I will remember Kaulana's first great catch in our freshman year against the University of Arizona. ... I remember Valana hitting a walk-off home run against Mississippi State last season in Las Vegas. ... I remember Brandi's home run against Abbott at Tennessee. ... and I'll remember Jes closing numerous games for us to secure the win. These years have exceeded everything I thought softball was.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our team. Thank you to the coaches who have lived the ups and downs with us. Thank you to our trainer for poking our bruises and making us brown Gatorade. Thank you to my team. I wish you continued success to exceed anything we have ever done. My last dose of advice: If you have trouble running the bases, or don't like sliding, just hit home runs.

Signing off,

Kate Robinson

Rainbow Wahine senior Kate Robinson wrote this diary for The Advertiser during UH's run in the NCAA Division I Tournament regional in Tempe, Ariz.

Robinson is leaving today for Akron, Ohio, to meet up with the Akron Racers in the National Pro Fastpitch League.