Lady Wave Softball

Right before Avery started school entering the 7th grade, she decided she wanted to try out for the Tupelo High School Lady Wave Softball Team. Terry and I had been trying to talk her into trying out - with no luck - so we were very surprised when she came to us and said she wanted to! It was a victory in itself that Avery decided this on her own, so we were excited! She, and three other 7th graders, were at the tryouts. The 'main' tryout had been in the spring and we had missed it, but the coach always has another one right before school starts for girls who missed the first one, or for girls that had moved into the Tupelo School District during the summer. Sydney Lewis and Ali Watts - two of the four who had tried out - had played with Avery all summer. Blakely Lollar was coming in to Tupelo from Okolona. All four girls made the team. This would be our first time to have a child on a high school sports team! 

 Seventh grade is a hard academic year - a LOT of studying and homework. Avery was also taking four Pre AP classes, which were harder and more work! That, along with softball, meant there were many nights when she didn't get in the bed until after midnight.  Keeping it all balanced was something Avery did very well! Her grades remained high and even though she was sleep deprived, she was able to figure it all out without anything suffering. 

 In the fall, the girls play their slow-pitch season. Avery played first base for the Junior Varsity team and got to play the entire game of all the JV games. She learned a lot about what it means to play sports in high school - the dedication needed, the time it takes, playing and practicing as a team, getting along with each other, etc.  Avery seemed a little bit shy with all the older softball girls at times. She didn't like the drama some of them seemed to bring to the team, but she hung in there. She learned a lot about the game and the true dynamics of a competitive team. She played hard and improved throughout the course of the slow-pitch season. Coach Michael Gable was her head coach with Will Stafford being the Assistant. It was a learning season and a fun one.  We're always proud of Avery but were very proud of her for taking the initiative to go for something that she wanted. She always amazes us with her hard working spirit and her abilities. 

Go Lady Wave!! 

These were all the softball players from the Middle School. We all carpooled every day from the Middle School to the High School since the team practiced the last period of the school day.
Back: Sydney Lewis, Blakely Lollar, Ali Watts, Avery Goggans
Front: Kelby Cobb, Paige Cox

Avery at bat!

Swiiiinnggg!

Got a hit!!

Scored!!

At first base