As a freshman, Michalah Sacre took the Jefferson District by storm in 2008 as the number one pitcher for Orange County. The following year she had already established herself as one of the most dominant pitchers in Central Virginia to help the Hornets repeat as JD champions. Sacre’s junior year may have been cut short because a shoulder injury, but that was of little concern among college recruiters as the Orange star softball player’s resume was deep enough already.
On Monday afternoon, Sacre signed her letter of intent that will send her to Radford next Fall.
“It was very stressful,” Sacre said of the recruiting process. “But now that it’s over everything’s going to be fine. Now I can just get back to hitting and pitching.”
That’s what the Highlanders intend to use her for. As good as Sacre is in the circle, she’s just as good in the field and in the batter’s box, making her an ideal utility player.
“She just brings another dimension to the game of softball,” said Orange coach John Henry Ryder. “She’s an amazing athlete and she can play any position in the field. And you don’t really have to coach her either. She’s like having a coach on the field, she’s so smart.”
Last year Sacre truly demonstrated her versatility as a shoulder injury kept her from pitching. Nonetheless, before having season ending surgery, Sacre was one of the Hornets’ most dangerous bats and reliable fielders.
Now a senior, Sacre is both excited and anxious about getting back into her freshman and sophomore form this spring.
“I think I’m still a little scared about playing but I’m just going to have to get over that,” Sacre said.
And once she gets back into the flow of things, JD opponents can expect the same intimidating style.
“I think I’m two different people on and off the field,” Sacre said. “When I’m in the circle I’m really confident, but I don’t want to give myself any credit. I get an attitude when I’m pitching and it keeps me going.”
St. Anne’s-Belfield’s Imovbioh makes it official
The Virginia Cavaliers women’s basketball team officially announced its acquisition of St. Anne’s-Belfield’s Sarah Imovbioh. The Saints senior signed a letter of intent to play for Debbie Ryan’s squad starting next fall.
“We are so excited to have Sarah joining our program,” Ryan said in a press release. “Sarah has quickly developed into one of the best post players in the country under (STAB) coach Phil Stinnie. She is a finisher around the basket and her athletic ability is outstanding. Sarah is an accomplished rebounder and will prove that she is one of the top players in this class when she takes the court at Virginia. I believe Sarah will make an immediate impact on our program both on and off the court.”
Imovbioh, a Nigerian native, averaged 32.2 points, 20 rebounds, 4.9 blocks and 4.3 steals per contest last season as she led her team to the VISAA Division 2 semifinals where she scored 53 points and hauled in 20 rebounds in a loss to Hampton Roads.
The STAB forward is the 15th ranked player at her position and 56th ranked player overall for the class of 2011 according to www.hoopgurlz.com.
Albemarle’s Napolitano and Varaksa each make collegiate moves
She’s been the face of the Patriots tennis program since her freshman year. Megan Napolitano has played atop of the Albemarle ladder since 2008 and now she’ll get the chance to try and do the same at Radford.
Last year Napolitano qualified for both the Group AAA singles and doubles tournaments with the help of teammate Abby Lesnoff.
Fellow 2011 classmate Joey Varaksa will also pursue athletics in college. The Patriots’ infielder signed with Longwood. The All-Commonwealth District slugger continues Albemarle’s line of Patriots baseball players to play at the next level with Vince Coles and Tyler Molinaro in 2009 and Rashad Talley in 2010. In addition to his play at AHS, Varaksa was a key component to Albemarle Post 74’s postseason run this past summer.
