Leeann VandeVoorde '20 Recruiting Profile

Currently a freshman at Spoon River College.

I started playing softball when I was very young.  I went from town ball to trying out for a 10U team at 8 years old. My parents and my grandfather knew I had great athletic ability even though I was very small and wasn't very good yet.  I worked hard and became one of the starting pitchers by the end of that season, and I have been first string ever since. I've put in years and years of sweat to be able to stand where I am now and I couldn't be more proud of the person I've become because of the sport and the amazing people who helped me achieve my goals.

I want to play college softball at a competitive level because not only do I love the sport, but because I want to be elite in everything I do. My coaches would describe me as hard-working because I don't miss practice, and when I'm there I am focused. There's no reason why I shouldn't always strive to be the best the player on that field. When I step onto it my mindset is clear. Pitching feels like it was what I was born to do, even when I have a bad warm-up, as soon as I step into the game I can get it done. Whether I'm missing o. certain pitches or not, I can always rely on my spins to pop people out or force them to get weak hits by jamming them with a screwball. It is so important to me that I stand out. I want to play for a coach that pushes me to be my best, even when they know I'm struggling, because that is the coaching I'm used to. I want to play for a program that supports and helps me become a better player, and a more responsible student and adult.  I want to take full advantage of all the opportunities that I have ahead of me. Challenging myself to find the most efficient program out there to stay at for years to come.