Ava Tillmann makes her next stop in Oxford official
Ava Tillmann will definitely be a Lady Rebel when she finally takes the field in Oxford, Miss., in Spring 2018.
She made it official last week with the stroke of a pen during a special ceremony attended by family and friends, coaches and teammates in Cedartown High School's media center turned nightclub for the occasion.
Tillmann entered the room to booming music and strobe lights, and before signing her paperwork to make her committment to Ole Miss, she got to hear from coaches about her incredible committment to improving in softball as a pitcher, and what a bright and wonderful player and friend she's been.
She said that she was looking forward to taking her talents to the University of Mississippi's softball team, but that she would miss her soon-to-be alma mater.
"I'm feeling excited and emotional, because knowing my school supports me this much makes it hard to leave," Tillmann said. "I'm still excited about going, finally."
Tillmann said "I'm thankful for every single one of them" in response to those who have been at her side through the years on the journey to signing day.
College softball is a spring sport, so Tillmann will be heading to campus in Fall 2017 just like any other freshman and without immediately having to report for practice and games.
Tillmann said she plans to play travel ball for her final season during the spring and summer before heading off to college.
The school does play teams within the state on a fall schedule from October through early November in exhibition games, mainly played in Oxford versus community college and a few Division I teams, like Memphis and Southern Miss.
Before she'll get to take the field in the to be determined 2018 softball schedule, Tillmann will be working hard on her studies at Oxford.
She plans for the moment to pursue the education field, and said "I would love to come back to Cedartown and coach and start all over."