As the spring sports season nears, teams are beginning to map out their roads to success. For the softball team, that begins with naming former first base coach Courtney Morrison as head coach. 

Morrison has a long history with softball. She began her career at State High, playing from 7th through 12th grade. From there, she played four years at Slippery Rock University before becoming an assistant coach and eventually the head coach at Pace Academy in Atlanta, GA. Morrison made her way back to State College five years ago where she took on the role of first base coach. After former head coach Shawn Herncane stepped down, it only seemed right for Morrison to take charge. 

The team is riding a high from the 2023-24 season, bringing home the District VI title for the first time since 2017. Morrison comes into the season with this in mind, aiming to carry that momentum further. Although the district championship was a positive result, the team still felt as if they had unfinished business. 

“They [won districts], but what happened was once we did it, we didn’t know where to go after that. So the girls felt like they met the one goal that we had had for the season, and so there wasn’t anything else to achieve,” Morrison said. “But big picture is, you want to make it to that state tournament, you want to win that play-in game. So our goal will be making it to districts, winning districts, winning that play-in game, and making it to state.”

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Junior catcher Elizabeth Sikorski agreed with Morrison, hoping that the past season will serve as a lesson.

“Last year our only goal was to beat Mifflin County at districts, so we kind of fell off after we beat them. So hopefully we can have better goals, maybe more spread out goals so we can keep hitting them,” Sikorski said.

Morrison hopes to build connections that extend beyond wins and losses. A positive demeanor and communication are at the forefront of her coaching. 

“I am going to show up every single day being the person that I am, and I’m going to give them full support. Mistakes happen, so I’m not someone that’s screaming and yelling and getting really upset. I encourage, so I have a lot of small conversations. I am a little bit loud. Overall I want them to know that I believe in them. And so really kind of starting with that, being positive,” Morrison said. 

Sikorski noted Morrison’s coaching style for making her approachable. “Morrison has always been the coach that is there for you emotionally. She’s the one you can go to if you have issues or just not feeling it,” Sikorski said. 

The relationships Morrison has fostered through softball are ultimately her favorite part of the game.

“Watching student-athletes work really hard and overcome obstacles and see those small successes become something really big and the connections that you make,” Morrison said. “I feel like coaches and athletes make really strong connections and there’s a bond, and so I enjoy being a part of their life and seeing them kind of evolve and become the person that they’re going out into the world and going to be later in life.”

Despite Morrison’s encouragement, standards are still communicated. Clear guidelines are set, allowing athletes to know their responsibilities. 

Freshman player Jennie Varrassa believes this mentality helps the team when it comes to practices.

“I think that she’s a really good coach and she’s helping improve us. She always comes with a planned list of things to get done so we’re always very efficient,” Varrassa said. 

Morrison explained her motivation for coaching in this way.

“I challenge them. So there’s an expectation and there are things that they should be meeting and reaching and achieving as an individual and as a team. So just because I’m positive and nice doesn’t mean that any of those expectations are lowered,” Morrison said. “I hold them accountable and I allow them to work hard and feel the success once they’re working hard and working through it.”

Varrassa is looking forward to the opportunity to improve under a new coach while making the transition from middle school to high school softball.

“I think getting her leadership and understanding the different ways to play softball and get better as a player through her coaching,” Varrassa said. 

The team will be returning a core of seniors who take charge on the field. Having players who experienced a district championship will be vital in knowing what to expect. 

“[The seniors] know how it felt last year to not get to where we wanted to be. And so being along with them for this ride, again, their senior year and knowing what they want to achieve, that’s what I’m really excited for,” Morrison said. 

The softball team will begin its season with an away game against Altoona on March 24.