Coming off a terrific run at a prep tournament in Surrey, British Columbia, local star Abby Dixon and Team Manitoba are setting their sights on making noise at the next event in St. John's, Newfoundland.
As part of gearing up for Newfoundland, Team Manitoba faced off against some of the top teams around the world while in BC. "It was like nothing we've ever done before," Dixon says, still amazed by it all. "Just the atmosphere, and going so far, it felt unreal. It was so much fun, getting to know the girls even more, and the practice run was good for showing us what we need to do, and what we need to be ready for."
That trip was designed to show the team what they'd be facing, and Dixon says it was as eye opening as it was confidence boosting. "We have to be on task all the time, really have our mindset on the game. Always be ready, even if we're not playing, we need to be there and cheer on our teammates. Even if we're not in the game, we have to be in the game somehow. Whether it's on the bench, warming up to get in to play, or just cheering everyone that is on the diamond."
Team Manitoba is a really close group of friends now, and Dixon says she's cherished going around the country with this group. "It's awesome," she says with a big, emphatic smile. "We've done so many things together, we've accomplished a lot, so it makes us really close. It's really amazing the things we've done together, and we know we can do so much more. It's awesome."
Heading east, Dixon knows it's going to be a grind both mentally and physically, adding in the travel, new surroundings and everything that comes with it. "We all know what our expectations are," the St. Malo product states very matter-of-factly. "We all have our own thing that we do to get ourselves into the game. Whatever mental prep is needed, thinking about how we're going to play, staying positive, and cheering each other on, even when something bad happens."
Skill wise, Dixon has focused on a specific part of the teams game that can separate them from the competition. "I think that we're very good defensively. If we stay clean there, I think we'll have a very good chance in Newfoundland. Our bats are also pretty good, we have good hitters on our team. I think it'll all work out."
Making things even more special are the people around the team that have worked to make these events possible. "They're all here to cheer us on, and they're a really good support group for us," the 18-year-old star says proudly. "It's awesome to have so many people cheering for us. If we need anything, they're there. If anything goes wrong, they're always there for us, so it's good."
Being a star multi-sport athlete, Dixon has a routine for staying at her best as she continues to play such high level sports, seemingly all year long. "Lots of sleep," she says with a laugh. "Just go through every day day by day, just focus on what's coming next and not get too ahead of myself. I try to focus on what matters most."
As a role model and an athlete that many young future stars look up to, Dixon's advice to them is simple. "Keep working hard. If you put your mind to it, you can do anything you want. Put in the work, and everything will go how you want it to. It won't come just like that."
If anyone would have told a young Abby Dixon that ball would take her from the heart of Manitoba, to the mountains of the west coast, and then to the beautiful east coast, she would have thought they were crazy. "I would never believe that."
Dixon and her teammates don't have to believe it, they're living it, and they have an entire province cheering them on.