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READY TO SERVE: Osterhaus commits to Army ahead of final year with TWCA
There was some question as to where she would ultimately take her talents at the conclusion of her career – but no longer.
As of the beginning of August, Osterhaus has committed to continue her playing career with Army West Point.
“I’ve always wondered what my purpose was, and I’d continuously pray about it and ask God where my path leads,” she said. “Then one day, during school chapel, I felt Him telling me I should take my academic and athletic ability somewhere greater than a normal four-year university.
“I wanted something more than that, and West Point offered me that – the ability to serve in the army while also playing Division-I softball. I felt like that would be the greatest honor, and that’s the challenge I decided to put on myself. Plus, my mom served with the Navy for eight years, and she’s been my biggest inspiration.”
As a whole, the Joshua Culp-led softball program experienced, perhaps, the most successful season seen in the past decade, having advanced two rounds deep in the TAPPS-5A playoffs.
Now that a new school year begins, the leaders of the team will ensure that this past Spring wasn’t a fluke.
“We’re definitely emphasizing the need to get in the weight room,” said Osterhaus. “I feel like everything relates to your overall strength, because if you address that in training, swinging a bat and throwing a ball should come naturally.
“The biggest thing, this past year, was the sense of community we felt. The whole school would come out and cheer for us on, which is something we haven’t necessarily felt as much in years past. But, they were behind us and I know that, with the bonds we’ve built since, it will play a factor this upcoming Spring.”
As she prepares to embark upon the final stretch of her high school career, Osterhaus has been presented with the opportunity to consider the time she has left as a Warrior.
“I’m sad about it, for sure,” she said. “But, I don’t want to live in the future. I want to exist in the moment and take things in as they come, so that I can truly enjoy my last year at TWCA. This senior year is going to be about making the best memories with the people I love most.”
Speaking of memories, Osterhaus was emphatic as to which she holds in the highest esteem.
“For softball, I’m going to miss the times we all walk off the bus into Chick-Fil-A before games, with just our socks on and no shoes,” she laughed. “One other memory I’m definitely going to remember forever is when we had brisket night at one of our games.
“A coach gave me a brisket sandwich in the middle of the game because I was hungry. Then, I was up to bat, still chewing, and I hit a home run. From then on, everyone was calling me ‘The Brisket Girl’ because I eat food and hit home runs.”
Osterhaus will have an entire year to make more, with both the TWCA softball and soccer teams.
Only now, she’ll have a place to call home, in which she’ll undertake a higher purpose.
Kingwood's Mia Gagliardi
AWARD SZN: 2024 All-VYPE Softball Teams powered by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Additionally, programs such as Katy, Lake Creek, Heights, Bridgeland, Brazoswood, Foster, Oak Ridge, and Barbers Hill were among the plethora of Houston-area teams to have extended playoff runs over the past few weeks.
The Episcopal Knights claimed their seventh-consecutive SPC championship to further solidify their dynasty-status, while St. Agnes Academy ultimately took home the TAPPS-D1 title, which marked the first time they've done so since 2019.
Other teams of note within the private school sector include Cypress Christian, Kinkaid, FBCA, Concordia Lutheran, John Cooper, TWCA, Lutheran South Academy, Houston Christian, and St. Pius X.
Given all that information, here are the 2024 All-VYPE Softball Teams presented by Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.
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ALL-VYPE TEAM PHOTO GALLERY: Ella McDowell -- Foster
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
All-VYPE Public School Softball Teams
FIRST-TEAM
Ella McDowell, Foster
Cameryn Harrison, Katy
Mia Gagliardi, Kingwood
Abby Ptak, Alvin
Hailey Nutter, Barbers Hill
Sydney Jackson, Bridgeland
Baileigh Burtis, Friendswood
Haylie Jaime, Heights
Peyton Tanner, Brazoswood
Ashtyn Reichardt, Katy
Erika Savage, Kingwood Park
Madalyn Davis, Lake Creek
Alisa Sneed, Conroe
Addyson Sheppard, Kingwood
Ariel Redmond, Oak Ridge
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SECOND-TEAM
Raenna Liscano, Pearland
Savannah Carter, Klein Collins
Brooke Kearns, Memorial
Alyson Higginbotham, Lake Creek
Faith Piper, Cinco Ranch
Kennedy Hill, Heights
Ella Kate “EK” Smith, Katy
Leilani Garcia, Kingwood
Ryley Nihart, Manvel
Aubrey Lacour, Klein Oak
Sophie Brammer, Foster
Shylien Brister, Clear Brook
Cara Pitman, Dawson
Chayne Allen, Bridgeland
Matti Matthews, Alvin
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THIRD-TEAM
Emma King, Clear Springs
Charleigh Esparza, Friendswood
Kylie Wilson, Deer Park
Jaylie Miller, Manvel
Courtney Petrosino, Kingwood Park
Chesney Davis, Lake Creek
Lauryn Soeken, Katy
Za’Riya Bell-Morris, Klein Collins
Madysen Taylor, Bridgeland
Ella Boyer, Oak Ridge
Hunter Quentel, Kingwood
Mia Estrello, Brazoswood
Gabriella Castillo, Fulshear
Brookelyn Livanec, Barbers Hill
Trinity Perry, Pearland
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HONORABLE MENTION
Mia Diaz, Cypress Ranch
Rhilynn McCoy, Atascocita
Montgomery Henderson, Katy
Kaelyn Lerma, Katy Taylor
Lily Soliz, Angleton
Erianna Garcia, Clear Springs
Ainsley Pinkerton, Bellaire
Peyton Helmly, Barbers Hill
Cali Chapman, Summer Creek
Reagan McCoy, The Woodlands
Mallory Richardson, Santa Fe
Madison Dillon, Waller
Kelsey Martin, Pearland
Ally Mooneyham, Crosby
Gabriela Brookshire, Langham Creek
Leah Gershman, Tompkins
Aubree Jones, Lamar Consolidated
Abby Garza, Grand Oaks
Kaeden Bell, Spring
Jordan Franklin, Porter
Rylie Marquart, Bridgeland
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All-VYPE Private School Softball Teams
FIRST-TEAM
Mia Valenzuela, St. Agnes Academy
Allie Williams, Episcopal
Kennedy Flenner, St. Pius X
Sarah Olenick, Cypress Christian
Jadyn Granere, Houston Christian
Katiana Maldonado, Lutheran South Academy
Julia Sullo, St. Agnes Academy
Faith Keiper, Concordia Lutheran
Reese Heflin, FBCA
Gianna Lewis, Episcopal
Haley Wainright, Kinkaid
Keira Crosby, TWCA
Lauren Gentry, Incarnate Word Academy
Megan Smith, Cypress Christian
Cameron Patterson, John Cooper School
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SECOND-TEAM
Briana Collazo, Lutheran South Academy
Abigail Odom, St. Pius X
Maddie Pickett, Houston Christian
Kyra Nguyen, St. Agnes Academy
Kailyn Smith, Cypress Christian
Reagan Rohrlich, TWCA
Lindley Bowman, Kinkaid
Morgan Domino, Concordia Lutheran
Hadley Hodge, FBCA
Katherine Sullo, St. Agnes Academy
Hayleigh Hubbard, Episcopal
Alexa Ramirez, St. John XXIII
Katelyn Bienko, Cypress Christian
Addison Smith, Lutheran South Academy
Sydney Kelly, John Cooper School
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HONORABLE MENTION
Reagan Moriarty, Episcopal
Gianna Bales, Bay Area Christian
Lauren Brown, Lutheran South Academy
Faith Puzon, Incarnate Word Academy
Alexis Osterhaus, TWCA
Avery Peakes, St. John’s
Corinne Keim, Cypress Christian
Lauren Gibson, Kinkaid
Jaelynn Lee, FBCA
Sophia Deutschen, St. Agnes Academy
Millie Metz, Houston Christian
Brooke Landry, St. Pius X
Daniela Villareal, John Cooper School
Kennedy Farrell, Bay Area Christian
Penelope Meehan, St. Agnes Academy