Hall was experiencing yet another softball first during her four years. This was the first time Hall could remember the junior varsity team winning the Green and Gold game.
It is a first for many things on the softball team this year, such as the weight the seniors will carry, the incoming talent and the competition between the JV and varsity teams. Hall said she’s not sure what to expect.
“We’ve got a stacked line up this year, and we just have a lot of good players,” Hall said. “This year no one’s spot was just handed to them. There was competition for every position, between all classes.”
Hall said coaches are still changing positions. But the upperclassmen have been stepping up to fill the same leadership roles the senior class before them had filled.
“The seniors last year had been in charge since their sophomore year. They were the first good class we had, so basically we had the same seniors for three years,” Hall said. “Now that they’re gone and my class is supposed to be in charge, it’s weird, and definitely different, but I like it.”
There is still fierce competition between varsity and the underclassmen.
“JV is always competing with the varsity for varsity positions, and varsity is competing with JV to keep their starting positions,” sophomore Hannah Liebhart said. “As JV players, we know Coach is preparing us to play on varsity when the upperclassmen leave.”
As a way of boosting their confidence, the underclassmen seek the upperclassmen for advice with their technique, and bonding is important to them. Last month the team had the opportunity to go to Joplin to play in a tournament. In between games, the whole team went to the Salvation Army warehouse to sort through clothes for victims.
“Everyone’s eyes really opened at that point, and we all realized how lucky we were to have each other, as well as a house to live in, and a place to go to school,” Liebhart said.
Freshman Kelsey Knorr said settling into the new atmosphere of high school softball is a rather large change. The family-like bond is a new concept for her as well.
“This year, I’m not only a part of a team but also a family. You learn how to be a team player,” Knorr said. “You’re there for the team and not just the number on your back.”
Knorr said she feels no tension this season, and she’s just happy to feel welcomed by the upperclassmen. Many of the underclassmen believe it’s important they have role models to look up to in many ways.
“The upperclassmen are really great to us, and they definitely have our back,” Knorr said. “They cheer us on even when we mess up because they have been in that position before.”
