Amanda Ardinger learned the value of hard work in high school when her volleyball team lost the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) championship, but then returned the next year and took home the title.Ardinger, now a Point Park University sophomore, carries the same hardworking attitude when playing infield and outfield for Point Park softball and defensive specialist for Pioneer volleyball.”It’s very unique that she’s a very big part of the team on both volleyball and softball,” Head softball coach Michelle Coultas said in a phone interview on Friday. “She has good grades; she has good relationships. It takes a strong person to juggle all of those.”Ardinger feels lucky to be able to play both softball and volleyball at a school that is close to home.Born and raised in Moon Township, Ardinger was involved in dance and basketball, but she found her niche in softball and volleyball. She played club ball for Pittsburgh Magic for four years, and played softball for Pittsburgh Power and Valley Rage.Pioneer softball team captain Lindsey Pesanka refers to Ardinger as a “clutch” hitter or someone who is known for having a knack for the game-deciding hit.”She’s intense,” Pesanka said in a phone interview on Sunday. “I think that she goes hard every single play of every game. Not only is she patient, but she knows when to be aggressive at the same time. She has perfect timing.”Last year, “perfect timing” landed Ardinger a 16-game hitting streak and a .519 batting average. She earned the title of second best batting average in the AMC nationwide.”It’s exciting, and I’m really proud,” Ardinger said in an interview on Wednesday in the fourth floor lounge. “But it’s also something to live up to. It’s something to strive for again this year.”Ardinger attributes her success to past coaches such as her high school volleyball coach who acted as a role model for the team. “We were more than athletes to him,” Ardinger said. “We were…like students, and he taught us about life and that family was important.”Ardinger said herparents are always there to support and encourage her to keep up the good work.A team captain in both high school volleyball and softball, Ardinger developed leadership skills that do not go unnoticed.”She leads by example,” said Pesanka. “When she gets hits…when she gets pumped up, it gets everybody pumped up. And that happens basically every game.”Ardinger admits that the team has had a lot of tough competition during their current season of 14-13 overall. “There is always room for improvement,” Ardinger said. Coultas said that even though achieving second best batting average is an individual goal, Ardinger still wants to win for the team and is very competitive.The team’s next game will take place on Friday at home against Cedarville University. Point Park’s United Student Government will give away Point Park softball t-shirts to students who attend the game while supplies last.Ardinger is currently studying elementary education and plans to earn a masters degree in physical education after graduation. Her dream is to be a coach.”I just really like kids and helping people,” Ardinger said.Ultimately, Ardinger hopes to coach college students, but feels starting out in middle school or high school would be more realistic.Coultas described Ardinger as a player with great team attitude and determination.”She is just somebody who I would love to build this program around,” Coultas said.