Avery Yoder taking her softball talents to Otterbein

Avery Yoder taking her softball talents to Otterbein
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West Holmes softball standout Avery Yoder completed her senior campaign to cap off a great career as a Lady Knight and now turns her attention to competing for a role at Otterbein University.

                        

Avery Yoder’s career as a West Holmes Lady Knight has wound down, but her softball career is nearly ready to take a step up to the next level.

After a fantastic senior campaign, Yoder signed on to play for Otterbein University, where she hopes to continue to find the same success that made her a force at West Holmes for four seasons.

Yoder said she felt an immediate connection with Otterbein head coach Bruce Anderson and the Cardinal staff, so she felt comfortable making the commitment to attend and play there.

“That was a big factor in my decision,” Yoder said of Otterbein.

In addition, she said attending the school, which resides in Westerville, Ohio, was a perfect distance from home.

“It’s kind of far away from home, but at the same time, it’s close enough to home that I can come home when I want, and my family and friends can come and watch me play,” Yoder said. “The town of Westerville itself is really nice too.”

Yoder manned third base this season for the Lady Knights, but she said as she takes the next step into the collegiate ranks, the staff has told her she might be a utility player who can successfully play multiple positions.

“I’m open to play where they need me, wherever I can help the team,” Yoder said. “I’ll just be happy to get on the field and prove myself.”

Yoder said her experience playing in the Lady Knights program has capably prepared her for the next level, although the past two seasons prior to this year were cut short due to the pandemic.

What she did say is going to be important to her growth as a player is getting a positive mind-set where she can learn from the experienced players at Otterbein.

“I know the level of competition is going to be a really big step up, so I know I have to prepare myself mentally to make the necessary adjustments,” Yoder said. “It’s a challenge I look forward to.”

Yoder said being a member of the Lady Knights program has been a fun experience, one that helped prepare her to move on. She said it has been a close-knit group with good chemistry, and they pick one another up in good times and in struggles.

She said she cherished the idea of being a role model her past two seasons as one of a few upperclassmen. She said providing an example of working hard to achieve goals is something she hopes the younger girls saw in her.

“Last year I was one of only three returning lettermen, so leadership on a team this young is always a big factor,” Yoder said.

Yoder will study exercise science while at Otterbein University, her classroom studies being the main reason she will attend college.

“My goal is to become a physical therapist,” Yoder said. “It’s a great field, and I am excited to work as hard at that as I am my game.”


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