Sometimes when I do an interview for a Player Profile, I sit down at an event and talk to them face to face. Usually, it’s a 10-15 minute discussion, but last Saturday when I spoke with Malia Quarles at the So Cal A’s Tournament, it took about 45 minutes and for a fun reason: she’s so well liked that players from other teams would chime in and “help” her answer questions.

Malia wasn’t playing last weekend—in fact, she hasn’t played since PGF Nationals when she got injured (more on that in a second)—so I had time to catch up with the super soph.

One of the most talented hitters in the 2017 class, Malia is also one of the most personable and well liked. You’ll see why below!

Name: MALIA QUARLES
Grad Year: 2017
Pos: 3B/1B
High School: Gahr (Cerritos, Calif.)
GPA: 3.6
Club: So Cal A’s – Richardson                                                
Stats: 11 home runs as a freshman, five home runs at PGF including grand slam in semi’s against AZ Suncats.
Honors: 1^st Team All-League           
College: UCLA

***

FullCountSoftball.com: So we see you in shorts today, what’s up with you not playing right now?
Malia Quarles: I’ve been hurt since February and I didn’t say anything for a while, I thought it was my elbow that was bothering me and I played through it but it ended up being a pinched nerve in neck.When I’dthrow it would shoot pain down my arm and it would tingle like crazy. I got an ultra-sound and they found lumps and tightness in my shoulders and neck and knew it was a pinched nerve. Also, I guess, because I couldn’t feel my fingers. I played at PGF Nationals and was hurt, but played until I couldn’t deal with it anymore. I didn’t play in the championship and when I came back on Monday and I went to doctor he was massaging me and pressing on it and it was really hurting. I went back on that Wednesday and then on Friday and after tests they said it was a pinched nerve.

FCS.com: What have you been doing to recover?
MQ: I’ve been going to therapy three times a week and getting deep tissue massage and acupuncture. It was getting better but it started to hurt again. I went to Florida for the Sun Classic, but couldn’t play at all.

FCS.com: Are you frustrated?
MQ: Yea, I just want to be on the field and play with my team. I’ve only played with them for one weekend.

FCS.com: What have the UCLA coaches said?
MQ: They told me to take as much time as I need, they told me to not rush it since I have two years before I’ll be with them.

FCS.com: Speaking of UCLA, how did they first find you?
MQ: (Head) Coach Kelly (Inouye-Perez) went to the same high school, Gahr High (Cerritos, Calif.) with my dad, Shawn, and they were friendsso she’s known about me and watched me for a while. She started talking to my dad since he’s my coach and that’s allowed. I wasn’t really good in softball at first when I started at eight years old and I think she saw me at 12U PGF Nationals, the year we won the championship, and she’s watched me ever since.

FCS.com: When did UCLA offer?
MQ: It was October 6, 2013. I was at home in my room and was talking to Coach Kelly on the phone. She had asked me if I was ready to be a Bruin and I got quiet a little bit and she said, “Hello?” as she didn’t know if I was still on. I said, “I’m here” and then told her, “Yes!” I had to call Coach Lisa (Fernandez) to tell her and her baby son Cruz was three months old. When I told her she started screaming and said, “I think I woke my baby up, but it’s OK, I think I can sleep now!”

FCS.com: When did you decide to commit and what led into the decision?
MQ: I had gone on visits to Oklahoma, then Cal before UCLA and I felt UCLA gave me the best vibes plus I love the coaches, am close to home, and am in a city where I need to be. I’m a big family person and staying close to home they can go to my games plus this way if they want to travel with me to away games they can.

FCS.com: What do you think (or have others said) are your strengths as a softball player?
MQ: Definitely my hitting. I have to give a lot of props to my dad for setting up batting cages near my house, they’re about two minutes away in a warehouse where I’ve been hitting for four years. My grandpa, Joseph Quarles, played for the White Sox and would go to the cages and pitch me front toss whenever I’d ask him to and stay til I was done. He still does this today. Coaches tell me I have quick hands and my dad is really strict in telling me I need to pick my pitch to hit because you may only get two at-bats in a game so you have to pitch your pitch wisely and do what you can with it.

FCS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your athletic career?
MQ: I’ve won 10U Nationals at ASA and then 12U PGF Nationals and then 14U ASA this summer in San Diego. The most recent one meant a lot because, even though I couldn’t play because of my injury, knowing my team had my back was important to me and made me feel like I was a bigger part of the team..

 

Quick Hitters

 

What do you want to major in?
I’d like to be in Sports Medicine.

Fill in the blank… I’m happiest when:_________________
… I’m playing softball.

What do you think is the No. 1 issue in the world today?
The polar bears are running out of ice.

Favorite food:
Sushi.

Least favorite school subject:
Math.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) during interviews (laughs).

How would your friends describe you in one word?
“Crazy (as was said by Alyssa Palomino of the OC Batbusters listening nearby).” I’d say crazy too.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
Alyssa Palomino. (laughs again).

Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals?
When I’m going to bat, I have to pull up my pants like this (demonstrates) and in big games I sprint around the bases because my adrenaline’s going.

Team you love to hate:
USC. I shouldn’t hate them because my dad and grandpa went to USC but I’m a Bruin now!

What’s your “guilty pleasure,” something you hate to admit you love?
Acupuncture. People think it’s weird but I think it really helps.

If you could have a super power, what would you want it to be?
I would want to be invisible.

What’s playing in your earphones/buds right now?
Probably Beyonce.

If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
John Wooden.

What did you want to be when you were little?
When I was really young I told my mom I wanted to be a crossing guard! Later I wanted to be a softball coach.

Favorite athlete:
Lauren Chamberlain.

Nickname(s):
I have a lot of them, my teammates, family and coaches call me Mufasa, MaLion, Mal, Meeka and Killa Quarles, which is my Instagram name.

Something on your “must do” or bucket list:
I want to do a color run.

Best thing about being from Southern Cali. is:
The weather, definitely.

Funniest thing you’ve ever seen on a softball field:
One of my teammates, Mary Iacopo, was fielding a ball and she fell over and couldn’t get up and walk straight. She like blacked out and was doing the moon walk. She was OK and we laugh about it now.

With Thanksgiving coming up, what are you most thankful for?
Family for sure and the opportunity to play a sport I love.

What’s the No. 1 request on your Santa gift list?
I haven’t even made a list yet. What do I want? Last year I wanted a new glove, this year I want a Seqway!