Three Lady Warriors sign
Published 9:20 pm Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Nansemond River High School had three softball players ink their futures on Wednesday.
Three Lady Warriors will take their talents to college level. Katelyn Biando, Madie Rhoads and Kelly Lafferty all signed their National Letters of Intent to their respective schools. Biando has signed with Virginia Wesleyan College, while Rhoads and Lafferty have signed with Randolph-Macon College and Allegheny College.
For Rhoads, her recruiting process was very nerve-wracking. In initial talks she had with Randolph-Macon coach Kevin Proffitt, she wasn’t sure if she would be offered a spot on the team. But two weeks after the two spoke, Rhoads received a call from Proffitt offering her a spot on the team. Rhoads loved her visit to the school as well.
“I absolutely loved the campus and the people there,” Rhoads said. “I knew I was at home the second I got there. It’s a relief to know where I will be for the next few years of my life.”
The Lady Warriors pitcher’s family made sure she mapped out her pros and cons about every school before she decided. At the end of the day, they were happy with wherever she chose to go. Rhoads knew RMC was the school for her, because her mom thought she looked more happy and comfortable on her visit there than at any other school. She will likely major in communications and international studies, even though she hasn’t officially decided. Their softball team is currently 29-7.
Biando visited a lot of schools during her recruitment process as well. Like Rhoads, she too weighed the good and bad of each school, which lead her to choose Virginia Wesleyan College in Virginia Beach. There were certain things she wanted in a school, and VWC provided all of those qualities for her.
“They had everything I wanted in terms of furthering my academic and my athletic career,” Biando said. “I also loved the size and the community feeling the school had. I love the area, and it’s by the beach and very close to the city.”
It isn’t clear as of now what role Biando will have at the next level, but it doesn’t concern her. Playing under Lady Warriors coach Gabe Rogers has helped her become versatile at different positions.
“I feel prepared to take on any role I’m given when I get there,” Biando said. “Personally I prefer to play a role that helps the team become more successful. Whatever that is, I will take advantage of it.”
Biando wants to be a physician assistant after college. She hopes to major in biology with a possibility of minoring in psychology. VWC softball team’s record currently sits at 39-1.
Both Biando and Rhoads are attending schools in the same conference — the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
Lafferty fell in love with the campus when she attended Allegheny, which is in Pennsylvania. When she went on her overnight visit to the school, she spent time with her future teammates and knew that’s where she wanted to be. The Lady Gators are currently 9-23.
The senior believes she can come in and work hard to make a difference in the program. All three Lady Warriors are happy to have decided on their futures and are ready to finish out their season strong.
Nansemond River will face Southampton High School at home at 7 p.m. Friday.