LaValley creating her own legacy at Carl Albert
MIDWEST CITY — Carl Albert softball coach Colin White didn't have to think long when asked to describe Zadie LaValley.
“Calm, cool and collected,” White said of the senior catcher. “She never gets too high emotionally, never gets too low. Extremely consistent.”
La Valley is another star player from one of the most athletically gifted families in the state.
Her brother, Carter, was a standout shortstop at Carl Albert and currently plays at Oklahoma. Their cousin, Gavin, starred for the Titans andi sin the Cincinnati Reds organization. Gavin's younger sister, Audrie, is on the OU softball team.
Zadie said her family has always been close, and their love for athletics often brings them together.
“We're always together,” she said .“We' re a really close family. We love playing. When we meet for holidays, we play in the yard.”
Zadie said she is particularly close to Audrie. They played together at Carl Albert for two years.
“When we were in high school together, we did everything together ,” Z adi es aid .“We loved to be together. … I don't even really consider her a cousin. More like a best friend or sister.”
Audrie is one of the most accomplished softball players in Carl Albert history.
It would have been intimidating for some people to follow in her footsteps. Zadie said she never felt that way.
“I don't think there is a lot of pressure,” she said.
La Valley is creating her own legacy with the Titans.
As a junior last season, she had a .571 batting average and hit 1 3 home runs as Carl Albert won its second consecutive Class 5 A state title. She was a first-team selection on The Oklahoman's Big All- City squad.
LaValley has high expectations this year and is focused on trying to win another state championship.
She intends to play college softball, but has not decided where she will attend. She de committed from Tulsa earlier this year.
“I' m looking for other schools at the moment,” she said.
LaValley said she would love to join Audrie at OU if she gets the opportunity, but part of her would like to play elsewhere.
“I kind of want to build my own route, see how that goes,” she said.