The early signing signing window for high school athletes opened today, and Seniors Phoebe Boeschen and Amanda Bouchey were the first from RBHS to sign this year.
Bouchey, who played third base for the softball team, inked her name to a letter of intent for William Woods University. She credited the school’s atmosphere with influencing her decision.
“One of my friends goes there – she graduated last year, her name’s Bri Logan. [Logan] told me how she felt at home when she was [at William Woods] and she loved it and so I decided I would go on a visit just to see if I liked it,” Bouchey said. “I went there, I met all the softball girls and the coach and basically it felt right, it felt ‘at home’ for me.”
She said that RBHS was a “great experience” for her, and that one of her experiences at RBHS in particular helped her improve as a player.
“I tore my ACL my sophomore year and I think that made me grow as well as a player,” Bouchey said. “If I hadn’t torn my ACL I wouldn’t be as strong and as committed as passionate as I am right now.”
Aside from William Woods, Bouchey had also received an offer from Central Methodist University. She said that while CMU has a “great school and softball program,” that college didn’t “feel as good” as William Woods.
Her fellow signee, Phoebe Boeschen, committed to attending Missouri State over other offers, including Emporia State. Her familiarity with the location and the school’s staff contributed to Boeschen’s decision.

“I knew the coach [at Missouri State] first of all,” Boeschen said. “She was my assistant coach for two years. [Missouri State] is very close to home and the courts where they hit at is where we played for the state title. A few weeks ago, she [the coach] called me and told me, ‘We have an offer for you and we just want you to come down and visit.'”
According to Bruin tennis coach Ben Loeb, Boeschen has improved her game during her time at RBHS.
“She’s learned to control her power and be smarter about shot selection.” Loeb said. “She’s also gotten a lot better about being able to manage adversity. I think those are some key factors.”
Boeschen has played for the Bruin tennis team each of the last four years, with the last two coming at No. 1 singles. During that time the Bruins have won two state titles (2011, 2014) and finished second twice (2012, 2013).
“She’s been our MVP. I mean, she’s been our most valuable player over the last four years and without her we wouldn’t have had the success we’ve had as a team. She’s been an integral part of what we’ve tried to do,” Loeb said. “Also this year, as a senior, I’ve tried to instill in her to take on a leadership role for the team and I think she’s done a good job of that.
The signing period, which continues through the middle of next week, will contain another signing ceremony next Tuesday, Nov. 18. Carly Offerdahl, Sophie Cunningham, Cierra Porter, Ryan Kreklow and Connor Brumfield will all sign letters of intent that day at 4:15 p.m. in the East Atrium.
By Brett Stover
Amanda Bouchey signs to play softball for William Woods. Photo by Bri Arnett.