Varsity:
OHS softball is in the midst of its season and though there have been ups and downs, the team is doing well in their games by relying on each other.
This year’s varsity team excels in their games through teamwork and by receiving good leadership from their coach.
“It’s going well. We took fourth place in the Bullhead Tournament of Champions tournament so the girls finished there very well and the season is in full swing and we play three games a week,” said Melissa Hobson, head varsity softball coach and P.E. teacher.
For the team to play as well as they are, athletes not only have practices but also specialized techniques to help them prepare for their games.
“Before every game, we obviously have practices leading up to that but we also have a mindset called ‘winning starts now’, so before our game even starts that’s what we’re thinking always. Whether it’s in the classroom for that day [or] right when we wake up, that’s our mindset, winning starts now,” said Raegan Holtorf, junior.
In addition to their mindset, the team implements other strategies to help them mentally prepare to play their best.
“We pray and then also we just come together and realize this is just a game and we’re going to have fun. We’ve all been playing this game for a long time and just go out there and play our own game,” said Sydney Williams, sophomore.
Going into their games, the softball team knows that they can rely on each other, thanks to a bond that they have built up since the start of their season.
“At the beginning we were very separated, like freshman and all the others, sophomores, juniors, seniors, returning varsity players, but we’ve done some team bonding stuff and we’ve all come together. We’re all actually super close and I feel now [the] seniors are best friends with freshmen. We’re all best friends now,” Holtorf said.
Though sometimes there are some ups and downs, the girls always help motivate each other to do their best.
“Sometimes it’s hard to practice every day and go to a lot of games but the girls really make it worthwhile to be there and be there for each other and the lifelong friendships that you make,” said Rachel Davis, junior.
JV:
The OHS JV softball team is also in the middle of their season and is continuing to play well in their games, representing OHS with pride.
Before joining the softball team, many OHS athletes have had prior experience with their sport, allowing them to succeed through their love for the game.
“I played in middle school and I fell in love with it and decided to try out for high school and see if I can go somewhere with it,” said Kylie Pruitt, freshman.
The team proves with each game that their teamwork skills allow them to play well.
“We’ve been bonding a lot better and working together a lot better. We have some things we need to work on, but we’ve been doing a lot better,” Pruitt said.
By relying on the friendships they have made with each other, the team is able to help their fellow teammates improve in the game they all love.
“My favorite part of being on the team is being able to hang out with everybody and develop in the game,” Pruitt said.
