This article was originally published with The Red & Black on April 15, 2015 and can be found here.

We are the people of the Polynesian Islands.

The phrase blares through the sound system at Jack Turner Stadium. The song being played is “Polynesian People” by the Hawaiian singer Norm. The music marks another at-bat for Georgia junior Tina Iosefa.

Iosefa is Polynesian and was determined to incorporate a Polynesian song into each home at-bat. The only question was which tune would be the choice for this season.

“I decided every year that I just wanted to go with a Polynesian song,” Iosefa said. “I reached out to my family to find out what song I should pick, and I just chose from there.”

Although it may be an afterthought for the fans, Iosefa’s teammates took a liking to the musical choice. Among them was fellow junior Kaylee Puailoa, whose Samoan roots helped her relate to Iosefa.

“Just being able to have that little touch of home and what’s comfortable to us helps,” Puailoa said. “When you’re coming up to the plate, it calms you down and takes you back to why we’re here in the first place. You’re doing it for you, your family and for Georgia.”

The song makes for an interesting scene that preludes each Iosefa appearance. What’s really worth watching, however, is what happens as soon the final note fades out.

Through 45 games this season, Iosefa holds a .333 batting average with four home runs in 30 starts. She has driven in 25 runs this season, good enough for fifth on the team. Her play has come at catcher, first base and designated player, which displays how her adaptability helps fill any necessary role.

“She’s great at that,” shortstop Paige Wilson said. “Coach [Lu Harris-Champer] always likes to mix us around. Coach always says that if you’re capable of playing somewhere else, you can play your spot.”

A player having to move around to get playing time can be problematic for some. However, Iosefa looks at it in a very simplistic manner.

“It’s just about being selfless,” Iosefa said. “I just do whatever I’m told.”

Iosefa’s team-first mindset has put her in some favorable positions in the 2015 season. The ultimate scenario played out in her favor on Easter Sunday when the Bulldogs needed someone to deliver at the plate.

Georgia found itself tied with Missouri 4-4 with one out in the bottom of the seventh. After two runners reached, the familiar Norm song came over the loudspeakers. Up to the plate walked Iosefa, who dropped a walk-off single into center field to give the Bulldogs a 5-4 Southeastern Conference victory.

“For me to be able to walk off like that, it was exciting because it was my first walk-off,” Iosefa said. “It was a good feeling.”

What makes Iosefa’s efforts even more admirable is her normal interactions with the other members of this year’s team.

“I think she’s really stepped up with leadership,” second baseman Alex Hugo said. “I think it carries over to her hitting; she’s been hitting amazing lately. She’s brought a lot of hard work, and I think that contributes to her leadership as well. She’s stepped up all around this year.”

Wilson expanded upon Hugo’s point by showing how Iosefa offers all she can to each member of the Bulldogs team.

“She’s a great competitor and a great teammate,” Wilson said. “She’s very positive and always making people laugh. Even if you’re down, she’s the first one to come to you and make you laugh.”

Iosefa has turned her determination into consistent success. Although it may stand as something natural for her, the efforts she has displayed have not gone unnoticed.

“She’s so clutch all the time,” Puailoa said. “It’s great just being able to have that as a model to follow, especially for our younger girls coming up. Being able to have that in the dugout is awesome.”

Softball may be the center of Iosefa’s life as long as she is a Georgia Bulldog, but it doesn’t define her. Game-deciding hits and winning efforts are nice, yet it’s not what Iosefa hopes people take away from knowing her. Her focus lies upon the joy of just being where she is right now.

“Know that whatever I do in life, I’m just excited,” Iosefa said. “I like to have fun with everything. I just enjoy life.”