The Villains girls softball team recently visited the University of Pennsylvania to witness high-level collegiate play.
With coach Dan Rothman, the Villians attended the Penn vs. Brown University game on March 29, a chance for the members of the Voorhees Girls Softball Association travel team to see first hand what can be achieved through hard work and dedication.
Rothman also emphasized the importance of team building.
“As a team, we believe that team-building exercises create a healthy social environment, stimulating continued growth and development,” he explained. “Attending the college games is one example of that. We attempt to show our girls what is achievable through their continued hard work and dedication.
“Our goal is to assist our girls in following their dreams.”
The players were inspired by the collegiate athletes in action. High-school freshman Galilea Castro, of Egg Harbor Township High School, reflected on what impressed her most.
“I like how they warm up and the pitches,” she said. “I like how the pitcher took her time and took a breath in the middle of her game, and I like how they hit the ball and did a home run. They’re also supportive and cheering for their teammates. I like how they track the ball down in the outfield and play well.”
For ninth-grader Ava Lattie, of Camden County Technical Schools, the experience reinforced her softball aspirations.
“I’ve been playing ball since I was 6,” she noted, “and it’s important to me so I can get there. It gives me motivation.”
Thirteen-year-old Imani Purnell, a student at Somerdale Park School, was particularly drawn to the intensity of the Penn game.
“A moment from the Penn vs. Brown game that stood out to me was the beginning of the game,” she recounted, “because I was really able to see how they set up and how girls at a higher level start off the game, along with shortstop diving for balls.”
The Penn visit also left a strong impression on team parents, including Sonia Castro, mother of Galilea, who admired the Villians’ committment to learning from the experience.
“I was impressed with how the travel team got together,” she said. “Everyone showed up and everyone was so happy to be there. It was like a family thing to do. It was a great experience to see how the girls work on a high level.”
The team also took away valuable lessons from the Penn visit that they hope to apply to their own games.
“When I was watching the players on the field, it was so beautiful and joyful,” shared the coach’s daughter, Alex. “Both teams played so well, and it was so fun to be able to experience such games with my family (teammates). When I was watching, it was great to see how the girls played together and had amazing chemistry, just like our team.
“I want to learn how they practice, how to throw certain pitches a certain way, and overall be the best person I can be, whether it’s with my team on the field or in the classroom.”
Beyond the game itself, the trip was also an opportunity for team bonding. Families and players met in the parking lot beforehand and team moms coordinated a tailgate between games to provide food and drinks.
