Aryana Ashlie '22 Recruiting Profile

Softball, such a simple word that holds so much complexity and meaning to me. It has taught me so much about myself. It has taught me many hard lessons, but the hardest to learn was that there is more to life than just playing the game. When I realized this, I knew I needed to step away for a season. During this break, I decided that it was important to give back to the sport. I used my talents to coach young girls in the local league. Watching these young girls grow and develop, was an amazing experience with its own life lessons.

As my year off from competitive playing concluded, I hit an unexpected bump in the road. I broke my pelvis, tibia, and wrist in an accident. There was no guarantee about my recovery, and while I was in the ICU, they were not sure how long it would be until I could walk again. I have always been mentally strong, but this moment in my life, really put me to the test. I knew that if I wanted to play in the spring, I would not only have to work on it physically, but that my mental and emotional health would play a key part in my success. In the spring, I not only played on the varsity team, but I was also the starting pitcher, bringing home the Pioneer Division Championship for the first time in Phoenixville history. 

These past few years have taught me so much about myself such as learning to celebrate my strengths while working on my weaknesses. As a coach, I have had the privilege to see different sides to the game that are closed to a lot of players, and that has played a large part in my development and perspective. I hope to be able to continue playing this amazing sport in college, and to be the type of player young girls can look up to and find inspiration in.