The main thing about my athletic career was that there was little to no downtime. I started with soccer, then played basketball, volleyball, and softball. I am very blessed to say that I have always been athletic.
Early Beginnings
I started playing softball in 4th grade through the Carroll County Recreation Department. I became interested in softball because my parents joined the church softball league, so I would go with them to all of the practices. I somehow was the pitcher for the team! (I wasn’t too bad considering I had never played before). When I didn’t pitch I played shortstop. I made the All-Star Team every year through the Rec Department. I played through the Rec Department for several years after that. During this time I played with and against numerous of my teammates: Sydney C., Hannah, Tiffanie, Gracie, Caitlyn, Morgan, and Kayla. I also played on a few different travel teams throughout my high school career.
Middle School Years
During my 7th grade year at Woodlawn Middle School, I had the opportunity to play 8th grade volleyball, basketball, and softball. This led up to me making the JV softball team for volleyball and softball in my 8th grade year. This was my first real introduction to Coach Edwards. My sister Ashley is 7 years older than me and played volleyball for Coach Edwards when she was in high school. If my sister was at a game, travel practice or tournament, I was there also. Coach Edwards would play with me on the side when she wasn’t directly coaching. I will 100% say, Volleyball Coach Edwards and Softball Coach Edwards are very different, but it made me the player I became.
We would have softball practice at Hillsville Elementary School and let me say, unless it was just unsafe for us to practice, we were on that field. There was even one practice where it was sunny, rained, sleeted, and snowed. I probably came home covered in mud more than I ever did clean. (Thankfully my mom was a pro at getting out the stains and patching up the rips in the knees of my pants).
During my 8th grade year, I was also playing on a team out of North Carolina when I hit my very first home run with a Rocketech bat. Truly, I didn’t even realize it was a home run until my dad told me while he was coaching third base.
I played JV softball for Coach Edwards my 8th and 9th grade year. I played shortstop and batted leadoff for both years. At this point I was with Coach Edwards Monday-Friday for softball and Saturdays and Sundays for travel volleyball. At this point in my athletic career, softball was definitely my number 1 sport.
For my 8th and 9th grade year, I also played JV Volleyball under Paula Green. I was a setter in volleyball.
High School
When my 10th grade year rolled around, I was fortunate enough to make the varsity team for both volleyball and softball. Now I switched from having Coach Edwards in softball to then having her in volleyball!
Prior to softball tryouts, word was out that we would be getting a new softball coach. When we found out it would be Rick Nester, I was apprehensive. One, I knew he had a baseball history, but as we all know boys and girls are very different. Two, I never had him as a teacher, but I had heard he was always serious and strict. This was enough to put a pit in my stomach when trying out on top of trying out for varsity as a sophomore.
I tried out as a shortstop, but Coach Nester approached me and informed me that I needed to try the outfield. This was extremely new for me and it was a bit of a shock, but I did it! During my sophomore year I played right field for a couple games, but then found my home in left field. I remember one of our first home games I was in right field, made a diving catch and doubled up the runner on first base. Nester ran out on the field and gave me a hug, which boosted my confidence for sure. During my sophomore year I hit 7 home runs. (3 in one game against Galax).
My junior year I continued my volleyball career as a setter, but also some right-side hitting. In softball, I continued to play in the outfield. I remember during tryouts, my dad brought me a brand-new Demarini bat that was 34 inches and 24 oz. Offensively, I only hit two home runs that year, and honestly, my junior year was more difficult mentally because of the stellar performance I had the year prior. I had such high expectations for myself.
My favorite memory from that year was playing up at Louisa High School. The field was MASSIVE! “No one will be hitting it out today.” I was able to hit one out.
Senior Year
Moving into my senior year, I knew it was crunch time. I really wanted to play volleyball and softball in college. I was being recruited in volleyball through Emory and Henry and Ferrum College. I toured both campuses and met the teams for both. I was also invited to a hitting camp at Ferrum College later in the year. On the way to the camp, my dad’s words were “Well she won’t be going here because of these crooked roads!” And if you have ever been to Ferrum, you know there is no easy way to get there.
The 2015 softball season was truly a fairytale. There was 0 drama between any of the players, and the majority of us had played together for years. We all probably knew way more about each other than most teammates would know. I moved to shortstop and batted third in the lineup. As the season progressed, it became apparent that we were good. Tiff and I would always joke around about getting pinky rings for our state championship ring.
For senior night, I hit my one and only home run for my senior year. Ferrum’s softball coach came up for a scouting visit and officially told me that he wanted me to play for him at Ferrum. I was ecstatic. I was going to get to play both volleyball and softball in college.
We continued throughout the season, winning (even though we had a close call with Cave Spring). It was now time for regionals, and school was already out. We were heading up to Fluvanna High School, but had to turn around halfway because they canceled the game. I had a horrible attitude because I was ready to play! Then, on top of that, we get back and have to practice! Coach Nester pulled us to the side as seniors and told us that we needed to refocus up and that we had a job to complete.
Fast forward, and we are preparing for the state tournament. We were fortunate to practice on VT’s baseball field to prepare for the turf that we would be playing on at Liberty.
The energy during the final game of the season was unbelievable. The stands were filled with Carroll County fans. This included staff members, family members, alumni, and just community members in general. I remember looking up, and it was just a sea of Carroll County fans. This game could not have been more tit for tat. Everyone on the team played in key moments throughout the game.
When the game ended, the roar of the crowd was insane! I didn’t cry tears at the time, but if I were to relive the moment, there would be no doubt it would happen now. There was so much support for a group of girls that were simply playing the sport they loved and were good at it.
My dad always compared it to the movie “Hoosiers” because we were a little team put on the big stage.
The outpour of love and support that we were given from the community was heartwarming. Everyone knew about this victory and wanted to honor or contribute in some capacity. It was astonishing.
After this season ended, I played some travel softball, but I truly focused on my conditioning for the transition to collegiate sports.
College Career:
I moved into Ferrum College and became a starter in both volleyball and softball my freshman year. Setter/Rightside in volleyball and shortstop in softball. I was the only freshman starter for both teams, so this was a challenge because I was in vital positions and the new kid on the block. Volleyball was a great and fun experience for my freshman year because of the friendships I created.
My freshman year at Ferrum for softball, I batted second in the lineup. We made it to the USA South Tournament Championship, where I was named Tournament MVP as a freshman. This was a huge accomplishment and a confidence boost to end the season.
In my sophomore year, I continued to start for both volleyball and softball. Luckily, most everyone for the volleyball team returned, so I continued to play with the same teammates as the year prior. In softball, there were only a few returning starters. I continued to start at shortstop but was moved to leadoff because of my on-base percentage.
Junior year, I continued to start for both volleyball and softball. In volleyball, I was the only returning starter, so this season was very different. I continued to set and play the right side. In softball, we had a majority of our team returning. I made the move to second and batted third. At first, I wasn’t sure about playing second base, but I loved it! Second became my all-time favorite position. This year, we moved into the ODAC, which had us playing teams that we hadn’t played before.
Senior year, I continued to start for both volleyball and softball. In volleyball, I played as the setter and the outside hitter. I was also completing my student teaching during this time. In softball, I played second base and batted third. I had the most fun season my senior year in softball and truly was so sad when it ended. Honestly, I cried for days. It was so hard to imagine that I was no longer an athlete in competitive sports. Then I graduated the same week. Talk about a life change!
Life Now:
Fast forward to my current life, I married Tyler Marinus on June 1st, 2019. We had been dating for 5 years, so he was able to experience my senior year of high school and all of college.
I started teaching at Mount Olivet Elementary School in Henry County, VA, in August of 2019. I decided to complete my Master’s degree in administration and am now going into my third year as an assistant principal for Henry County Public Schools. I currently live in Collinsville, VA.
I am still very much into athletics! While I was teaching, I coached for Magna Vista’s volleyball and softball programs. I coach for the State Line Volleyball Club for travel volleyball. I found a love for working out. I go to CrossFit 5 days a week and run a minimum of 3 miles a day. I run in numerous races: 5ks, 8ks, 10ks, half marathons and I completed my first ever full marathon in March! I play Co-Ed volleyball and softball where I have made many friends!
