After several years of playing together on the same team, from t-ball to their last year of high school, the softball seniors are excited for the things ahead, but also sad about what they have to leave behind. This is the last year the seniors will be playing together.
“Leaving is so bittersweet because this team has taught me what softball and relationships should look like. I’m excited about college, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t gonna miss these memories of the friendships I’ve made through softball,” senior Lilly McCalla said.
While playing softball is important to these seniors, most could agree it’s not always about how a game or practice goes, but more about the bonds you build through the sport that make leaving your high school so much harder.
“My favorite thing about the team is definitely just playing with these girls and seeing them every day because they become so close with me, and they’re like my family. It’s gonna be weird not seeing them every day,” senior Ashley Sherwood said.
Practicing and playing together with the same people every day after school in the spring requires a good bond. The softball team goes to Florida together every year for spring break, where they make their bond stronger and get to know each other better to improve their team dynamic.
“My favorite memory is probably spring break, when we had a great time. All the seniors watched this funny show together called “Age of Attraction,” and we ate a lot of ice cream, and they got us hooked on it. It was so funny, and it’s just little things like that that allow us to play better and bond better on the field,” McCalla said.
Senior McCalla and senior Mia Kuboushek have played on teams together since elementary school. They both agree that playing together for many years made them and their teammates grow closer and make this season even more special.
“I’m going to miss getting to be with my best friends every day. It’s been really fun and the things that we get to do both on, and off the field together. [I’ll also miss] the coaches and how they help us navigate all the challenges that come along with the sport,“ Kuboushek said.
Having friends on a team is one thing, but having a bond throughout the whole team is special. Connections helps the team to become the best they can.
“I want the team to be remembered by its leadership, the friendships, and their bond. Instead of being great players, I want them to remember us as good friends and have a good bond in the team,” Sherwood said.
These seniors have a reputation they want to leave for future bulldogs who are interested in playing softball. The varsity softball team had a winning streak of 6. It’s hard to accomplish such a thing without having a good team dynamic, and it makes it even better having played together for some time.
“I’ve played softball with almost all of the seniors my whole life, and I think it’s definitely helped us and made our senior year a little bit more bittersweet, especially because we’ve been together for so many years. I think just overall, it builds the chemistry and connection within the team,“ Kuboushek said.
The bond between the seniors that they have built throughout their careers has not only strengthened their connection on the field, but also shaped the way they want to be remembered by upcoming players.
“I want us to be remembered as change makers, a program that left its mark in a good way and paved the way for younger generations and younger girls. I have siblings coming up in the program, and I want to make the program proud and represent the Chelsea jersey,” McCalla said.
