When Payton Regier arrived at the University of Victoria in the fall of 2022, she wasn’t walking into a starting role. After receiving a late invitation to join the Vikes, she packed up quickly, left her summer job behind, found housing in Victoria, and embraced the opportunity in front of her. “Joining the team on such short notice, while it was stressful, my excitement really took over,” Regier said. “At first all the logistics were a lot to get sorted, but honestly, I was just super grateful to have a chance to play with the Vikes.”
The move also meant leaving behind the teammates she’d spent nearly 10 years playing alongside. “Coming from a very close-knit team where I was lucky enough to have played for 10 years of my minor ball experience, the transition to any new team would have been hard,” she said. “Just putting myself out there and trying my best was really all I could do.”
From the beginning, Coach Lori was upfront about where Regier fit into the lineup. Her opportunities would come as a pinch hitter and pinch runner, and Regier embraced that role from day one. “From the start, Coach Lori was very transparent with me about my role and contributions to the team,” she said. “This helped me manage my expectations and eased that transition.”
Rather than focusing on how much she was playing, Regier focused on making herself useful whenever her number was called.
“Joining the team as the 18th player in my first year, I understood my role and did my best to contribute to the team whether that was on or off the field,” she said. “I knew those situational contributions were just ways to contribute to the game and help my team in whatever way possible.”
As the years went on, the opportunities grew. Regier came to UVic as a left-handed second baseman and backup catcher. When the Vikes needed help in the outfield, she made the switch without hesitation. “While I came to the team as a primary second baseman, I was told outfield is where I could contribute the most to our team, so I accepted the challenge and pushed myself to grow as an outfielder.” Her confidence continued to grow alongside her game, and by 2025, she had earned a starting role.
For Coach Lori, Regier’s journey has been exactly what coaches hope to see.
“Payton is a success story demonstrating that work ethic, talent, and drive will result in the performance everyone strives for at the collegiate level,” she said. “She is a textbook example of progression from rookie to senior.”
But ask Coach Lori what really stands out, and she won’t start with statistics. She talks about the extra reps after practice. Catching bullpens. Picking up equipment without being asked. Taking notes. Charting games. Working on slapping because it gave the team another option. Those are the small things that have come to define Regier’s contribution to the Vike’s program.
“For me, a huge part of softball has been the friendships I’ve made through the game,” Regier said.
“I think paying extra attention to those so-called ‘small things’ is a way to lead by example and build that respect between teammates. I find that doing these small things has a domino effect, with everyone contributing and therefore building our team culture as a whole.”
For Regier, leadership is about creating a safe space and leading by example. “Personally, I see leadership as an opportunity to create a comfortable space for others to grow and build friendships within the team,” she said. “I do my best to lead by example whether it’s helping with gear, explaining a drill to the rookies, or keeping an optimistic attitude.”
That same consistency has carried into the classroom. Regier has been named a WCSA All-Academic student-athlete in each of her seasons while completing a degree in Recreation and Health Education. “I remember it being a tough transition academically during my first year, but since then I’ve gotten the hang of it,” she said. “I think just staying ahead on assignments and studying during the week helped me so that the weekends were less stressful with homework on top of travelling and league play.”
A change in her academic program means Regier will return for a fifth and final season with the Vikes in 2026, giving her one more opportunity to compete alongside the teammates who have become such an important part of her university experience.
Looking back, it’s those relationships that stand out the most. “Throughout my time with Vikes I’ve grown so much as a player and as an individual,” she said. “I would say I am most proud of never giving up on the sport I love so much and sticking with it. I am so grateful I got to play throughout all five of my years at UVic and am so proud to have developed new skills and friendships along the way.”
When she graduates, Regier hopes the culture she helped build continues long after she’s gone.”I hope that when I leave the team, the team environment remains a space where everyone feels included and excited to play ball.”
Discover more from WCSA
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
