Heading across the state line… Happy Valley’s Absher signs to play collegiate softball for SVCC
Published 1:54 pm Thursday, May 13, 2021
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Happy Valley's Olivia Absher signed her National Letter of Intent to play collegiate softball for Southwest Virginia Community College. Joining Absher for her signing were (L-R) mother Holly Absher, brother Jacob Absher, Absher, Happy Valley head coach Cody Hyder, and father Larry Absher.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Happy Valley's Olivia Absher puts ink to paper as she signs her National Letter of Intent to play softball for Southwest Virginia Community College.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Olivia Absher shares a moment with basketball and softball coaches who have coached the Happy Valley athlete during her time at the school. Pictured (L-R) Larry Abel, Absher, Jearld Oliver, Cody Hyder, and Thomas Gouge.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Members of Happy Valley's softball and baseball team were on hand to celebrate Olivia Absher's signing with Southwest Virginia Community College.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Senior members of the Happy Valley softball and baseball team join for a photo with Olivia Absher who just signed a National Letter of Intent to play collegiate softball.
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BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR SPORTS EDITOR
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
Coming into her final spring sports season as an athlete at Happy Valley High School, multi-talented athlete Olivia Absher was weighing the options of continue playing sports in college or focus solely on a degree in nursing.
Wheels recently starting turning for Absher as she was invited to make a visit to Southwest Virginia Community College and after visiting with the softball coach and the campus, Absher found she could continue to pursue her athletic career while getting a nursing degree from the college.
When the offer came, Absher was ready to take the next step as she recently signed her National Letter of Intent in the school’s library before family, friends, and coaches to play at the Southwest Virginia college.
“Right off the bat when I first met Coach Smith and I talked to her on the phone, I felt like I had a connection to her,” said Absher about what led to her decision to commit to SVCC. “When we went up there to visit, I just absolutely loved the school.
“The view was beautiful and they have a good nursing program and that’s why I chose to go there.”
Absher was a leader on the basketball court and the softball field her senior season as she played shortstop on the softball squad.
She said when she took time to think about making a decision to play, her family was instrumental in the choice.
“There was a lot of encouragement from my family telling me that I should chase my dreams because I will never get an opportunity like this again,” Absher shared. “That is why I decided to play there.
“My family is amazing and I couldn’t do anything that I do without them.”
Absher is the second athlete from the area to sign and play softball for SVCC. She will be joining Elizabethton’s Kallista Deprimo who recently committed to play for Coach Smith as well.
“I am super excited about that,” said Absher. “I actually played with Kallista when we were younger so I am super excited to be teammates with her again.”
There will be a lot of differences between playing at the high school level and the collegiate level and Absher is ready to dig down and be prepared for lies ahead for her.
“I think it will definitely be a lot more intense and competitive. I will have to bring it every single day if I want playing time,” commented Absher.
