“If anything, 2013 taught me to be excited for your future, but most importantly, to live in today and ‘Win the day.’”

So says Jenna Lilley, the outstanding infielder from Hoover High in North Canton, Ohio who is rated by StudentSportsSoftball.com as the No. 1 recruit in the senior class.  Jenna’s a winner who has helped the Hoover Vikings win three straight state championships including the 2013 squad that went 32-0.  The lefty hit .697 as a junior and was named the Ohio State Player of the Year and a MaxPreps All-American. 

Lilley has committed to the Univ. of Oregon and is also excellent in the classroom with a 3.9 GPA. 

In this blog, she recaps her year in 2013 and what she learned and accomplished in softball.

 

Click here to read Jenna’s earlier blogs and those from our other standout players!

Learn more about Jenna and her athletic family in this piece by her mother, Debbie, called A parent’s perspective: softball sacrifices

See our video interview of mother and daughter shot this summer at PGF

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It is hard to believe 2013 is already over. Time really does fly. It was a year of much hard work, excitement, and opportunities. I happily consider 2013 to be the best year of my life! This year I finally felt what it was like to “live in the moment” and my love for this game has continued to grow.

As excited as I am for high school season, Beverly Bandits summer ball and Oregon, right now is really great. I think that to get the most out of the future, whether “in season” or in life, you must live in the moment and invest yourself into what is going on around you for later times to be even better. If anything, 2013 taught me to be excited for your future, but most importantly, live in today and  “Win the day.”

In my past, I always wanted to do everything I could to help my team win, but I think I took that to a whole new level this year. At the end of the day, as long as my TEAM won, it didn’t matter how I did personally. I stopped looking at stats and the only thing I “analyzed” was whether the Vikes or the Bandits were on top. I simply played my hardest and gave my best effort for the name on the front and the 12 other girls on my team.

I also learned to work harder and smarter this year. I analyzed what I needed to work on, and now I’m doing it. I’m setting goals for myself and working hard to reach them. I don’t just go hit, “to go hit.” I work on improving something specific every day.

My teammates made the 2013 softball seasons really special. It was my favorite season of high school ball and my favorite season of Bandit ball. Winning a three-peat state championship was an amazing experience and a fifth place finish at PGF is also something my teammates and I are extremely proud of.

I am really fortunate to be apart of two amazing teams and something so much bigger than just yourself. I am surrounded by not only great softball players and passionate coaches, but even better people.

I fall more in love with this game every single day. I truly appreciate the game in all the ways it has to give me and my respect for softball has gone to a whole new level.

2013 was definitely a year to remember and I can’t wait to make the most out of 2014.

Happy New Year everyone! It’s almost softball season!

As always,

Jenna