Senior Avalyn Emerson has always been a soccer star here at THS, playing for the varsity soccer team for three years. This year, however, Avalyn did not show up at soccer tryouts; instead, she showed up and showed out at softball tryouts. She is the newest addition to the varsity softball Trojans.
Emerson has played soccer consistently for four years, but played on and off since she was four before that; however, this year she decided to switch things up to softball. “I got the idea one day in class, like a whisper of a thought,” Emerson elaborated, “then I thought, ‘wait what if I really did try out’, so I did.”
The last time she played softball was when she was six. “I played for two seasons and my coach would have to bribe me by saying she would buy me popcorn if I hit the ball because I was so bad,” Emerson explained. The crazy idea to play this year turned into dedication, and she began attending conditionings.
Because she had never really played softball, Emerson had to put forth immense effort to catch up to the other varsity players. “I miss the confidence I had playing soccer
because I understood the game and was a leader on the field, but softball is a whole fresh set of skills that I’m not experienced in,” Emerson explained. Even though she is less experienced, she has a positive mindset saying, “confidence will come with the more I practice, so I’m not too worried about it.”
She explained that she is very grateful for the help she got from others during conditioning. “My coach, Kaylee Devivi took me under her wing on the first day of conditioning, and she really spent time teaching me the basics.”
Though she is excited to try out a new sport, she still thinks about playing her first sport. “I think I will [miss soccer],” Emerson said. “I don’t consider myself leaving soccer, just taking a break to try something new,” she elaborated.
Congratulations to the varsity softball team on their win against Altavista with a score of 13-2. Join the fans in cheering on the softball team, and Emerson, at Chatham on Monday, March 16 at 5:30 pm for their first game!
