Andi
11-19-2007, 10:16 PM
Warwick standouts expected
to choose colleges Tuesday
Daily Press
Travonna Byrd and Sarah Atkins, who traded off between pitcher and second base last season in leading Warwick’s softball team to a 17-6 season, are expected to sign their college scholarship papers Tuesday.
Byrd, who went 10-3 and hit .418 as a junior, will sign with Hampton University. Atkins, who hit .427 and drove in a Peninsula District-leading 38 runs, is headed to Lenoir-Rhyne.
Byrd, who made the All-Daily Press team as a pitcher, says this is the result of long hours.
"All of the trips across the water to practice five, six days per week, pitching lessons in Richmond, working Saturday night bingos and tournaments almost every weekend, (it’s) finally paid off," she said. "There were many times when I cried and wanted to give up, but my family was there, constantly encouraging me.
"This is a big accomplishment. I am the first in my family to go to college on a full scholarship."
Atkins, who made the All-DP team at second base, is happy to be going to a smaller atmosphere.
"After visiting a few schools, both Division I and II, I realized what I liked and disliked in a school," she said. "I found that I am comfortable in the smaller, D-II type school. I want to be a person at the college, not just a number.
"When my parents and I went up to Lenoir-Rhyne, it kind of just seemed like any other small school that I had visited before. But after meeting the coaches and staying with some of the players, I came around to liking the school more and more."
Atkins’ mother said Sarah will be receiving 87 percent of the $30,000 yearly tuition for her freshman year.
Also, Gloucester pitcher Stephanie Coates, the Daily Press Player of the Year last spring, is expected to make her commitment to the University of Virginia official Wednesday. Coates, 21-3 last season with an 0.75 ERA, committed to the Cavaliers in April.
to choose colleges Tuesday
Daily Press
Travonna Byrd and Sarah Atkins, who traded off between pitcher and second base last season in leading Warwick’s softball team to a 17-6 season, are expected to sign their college scholarship papers Tuesday.
Byrd, who went 10-3 and hit .418 as a junior, will sign with Hampton University. Atkins, who hit .427 and drove in a Peninsula District-leading 38 runs, is headed to Lenoir-Rhyne.
Byrd, who made the All-Daily Press team as a pitcher, says this is the result of long hours.
"All of the trips across the water to practice five, six days per week, pitching lessons in Richmond, working Saturday night bingos and tournaments almost every weekend, (it’s) finally paid off," she said. "There were many times when I cried and wanted to give up, but my family was there, constantly encouraging me.
"This is a big accomplishment. I am the first in my family to go to college on a full scholarship."
Atkins, who made the All-DP team at second base, is happy to be going to a smaller atmosphere.
"After visiting a few schools, both Division I and II, I realized what I liked and disliked in a school," she said. "I found that I am comfortable in the smaller, D-II type school. I want to be a person at the college, not just a number.
"When my parents and I went up to Lenoir-Rhyne, it kind of just seemed like any other small school that I had visited before. But after meeting the coaches and staying with some of the players, I came around to liking the school more and more."
Atkins’ mother said Sarah will be receiving 87 percent of the $30,000 yearly tuition for her freshman year.
Also, Gloucester pitcher Stephanie Coates, the Daily Press Player of the Year last spring, is expected to make her commitment to the University of Virginia official Wednesday. Coates, 21-3 last season with an 0.75 ERA, committed to the Cavaliers in April.