Playing softball at the college level has always been a dream of mine. I remember watching college softball every summer with my dad and asking him if I could be one of those players when I grow up.

I started traveling for softball around 12 years old, staying in a different hotel every week during the summer and becoming more competitive with each game. I eventually got on a team called the St. Louis Esprit when I was 15, which is when the college recruitment preparation propelled. My coach ran practices modeled after a college team, and he showed me how to compete at the next level. He also showed me how many opportunities I could have to play college softball.

In the fall of my junior year, I had been on a few college visits and was playing in the final tournament of the year. Lindenwood University was there to watch me for one game. Coach taught me that hustle and attitude is the key to getting a recruiter’s attention, and through failures and successes this was true. After the game, I talked to what would be my college coaches, and I could see the future unfolding for me.

A college sport will definitely be challenging, but I can not imagine hanging up my cleats and giving up the game I love. Coaches saw me go through failures, but I realized they don’t care about the failure; they care about the effort that comes after. Going through the process of recruitment is stressful, but it is a fun ride and something very special.