WASHINGTON (June 9, 2020) – Howard University rising senior Tiffany Hunt talked with fellow student-athlete and recent graduate Priscilla Ayala (Manassas, Va.) from the women's soccer team, asking 10 questions for the 2019-20 Senior Profile series.
 
Q: What's your favorite part about soccer?
A: My favorite part about soccer is the family aspect. My teammates and I have such great chemistry on and off the field. Overall, my teammates are like sisters and they want the best for me.
 
Q: How did you get started in soccer?
A: My parents encouraged me to play a sport at age five and my family was already big soccer fanatics. So, I started playing and became really good. I continued playing because I really enjoy the sport.
 
Q: What kept you motivated?
A: My competitive drive kept me going because I always put my best effort forward for my teammates, parents, and myself.
 
Q: If you were not competing in soccer, what other sport would you do?
A: I would have played field hockey or lacrosse because they're like soccer in my opinion. Athletically, I would have been able to grasp quickly.
 
Q: Who is your favorite athlete and why?
A: My favorite athlete is Serena Williams because she's superwoman. Consistently, she dominates the tennis world while balancing her life as a mom. I appreciate her drive to be the best.
 
Q: What's your favorite memory at Howard?
A: My favorite Howard memory is winning the 2018 SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) Championship because I was super excited and proud of the team. That year, I was unable to play in the tournament due to a concussion. Even though I wasn't physically able to play, I was super ecstatic and happy all our hard work paid off.
 
Q: Plans after graduation?
A: I plan to attend Howard Graduate School, pursuing a postgraduate degree in occupational therapy. I'm looking to work with either young kids in education or a professional team.
 
Q: What or who will you miss at Howard?
A: I'll miss several people from Howard. I'll miss former athletic trainer Regina Parquet, Randy Smith (Howard Learning Specialist), and Mr. Paul Bowden (Howard Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Support Services).
 
Also, I'll miss my senior class teammates because they have contributed to my overall growth as a person at Howard.
 
Q: What advice would you give future Bison?
A: My advice for future Bison would be to stay focus, always have a plan and ask questions. You're going to experience challenges at Howard, but always keep a positive mindset because it's going to make you stronger at the end.
 
Q: Who would you like to thank?
A: I would like to thank Dr. Leiba because he helped me switch majors. Early on, I was undecided on a major and he guided me in pursuing my future career endeavors. He also assisted me in getting into Howard Graduate School. I'll miss him.
 
About Ayala
 
Priscilla Ayala, the daughter of Rafael and Bedilia Ayala, is a graduating senior, majoring in Health Science with a concentration in Occupational Therapy.
 
From Manassas, Va., Ayala attended Osbourn Park H.S., where she was a two-year letterman on the women's soccer team. Ayala was a member of the National Honors Society and was an honor roll student-athlete.
 
At Howard, she competed in nearly 50 contests for the Bison. In her rookie campaign, Ayala played 20 matches and guided HU to the 2016 SWAC Regular Season Title. Two years later (2018), Howard won the league's tournament crown and earned a berth to the NCAA Tournament.
 
She also excelled inside the classroom, making the 2019 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Commissioner's All-Academic Team.
 
The Virginia native plans to attend Howard Graduate School, pursuing a postgraduate degree in occupational therapy. Ayala looks to work with either young kids in education or a professional team.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.