July 5, 2006 - Presley Michelle Walker (then 11 years old) displays her injured (and shut) left eye after taking a hard grounder to the eye during a Pony League All-Star softball practice (Walker Family photo)

During the recent July 4th Holiday, most folks made memories they’ll remember for a lifetime.

Presley Michelle Walker, a soon-to-be sophomore at Liberty Hill High School, has a July 4th weekend memory from 2006 you might say led to “fireworks” of a different sort.

Walker – born Oct. 10 and supported by her parents (Billy and Katrina) and her younger sister (Payton) – plays varsity softball at LHHS and she lettered on Charice Hankins’ squad that went to the Region I finals. She also made Academic All-District as a freshman last season.

Back in the summer of 2006, Walker was 11 years old and headed into the sixth grade. She and many of her current teammates – including Kourtney Bevers, Kendyl Yandrisovitz, Lori Potts and Paige Holland, along with Tiffany Birdwell, who attends LeanderHigh School – were members of the Liberty Hill All-Star Pony League softball team that was getting ready to play in a regional tournament in hopes of qualifying for the natoinal tournament.

Even after Presley Walker's eye started healing, it was swollen and bloodshot (Walker Family photo)

“We were practicing on a boys little league field on July 5, 2006,” stated Walker, an admitted lover of cheeseburgers, Taylor Swift’s music and her family. “We had to play on a grass field because there were too many pony league teams and not enough fields. We were practicing in the early evening, around 6 p.m. or so.”

Walker was playing her normal position, third base, during practice. Up stepped Yandrisovitz to take some batting practice.

“She hit a line drive that took a big hop off the grass,” Walker recalled. “I went to backhand the ball and the ball hit the lip of the grass (where the grass infield meets the edge of the dirt on the baseline) and took a backwards spin at my face. Thank God I was wearing sunglasses that day!”

Sunglasses or not, the “pop” of the ball hitting Walker in the eye was loud – and could be heard around the complex.

“I saw it happen and my first reaction was ‘That’s going to be bad,’” said Billy Walker, Presley’s father and owner of Door-2-Door Realty in Liberty Hill. “It sounded like the ball was coming off a wooden bat – it was loud and you flinched when you heard the loud ‘pop’ sound. It was awful.”

“It was the sound that got everyone’s attention and scared everyone,” Presley continued. “I remember I stumbled backward after getting hit in the eye. The sunglasses broke immediately and I staggered like a boxer that got hit hard, but I didn’t fall to the ground.

“I was in a little bit of shock; I saw stars but didn’t cry. I couldn’t feel the whole left side of my face. To be honest I really thought my eye was gone. It was swollen and the left brow was sticking way out.”

The team’s coaches – Jack Bevers, Dale Birdwell and Ronnie Potts – got to Walker quickly.

“They took me to the dugout; they had their arms around me but I was able to walk to the dugout,” Walker recalled. “They put ice on my eye right away. The coaches did a great job in calming me down.

I remember the other girls were flat-out stunned by the whole incident. They were almost crying and they were very freaked out.”

“I didn’t run to Presley right after she was hit because I didn’t want to scare her,” Billy Walker said. I walked over to the dugout because the coaches handled things very well. After they got her to sit down and put ice on her eye, I told her everything was going to be okay.”

Billy drove Presley home so they could pick up his wife, Katrina, who was on her way home. They left soon after for the emergency room in Round Rock.

“The doctors got to her pretty quickly,” Katrina recalled. “They examined her – they thought she had slight concussion and told us she had cracked her brow one, had broken her nose in one place and cracker her cheek bone.

“The doctors said if Presley hadn’t been wearing sunglasses she possibly could have either lost the eye or completely lost vision in the eye. They tested her sight – her eye was swollen shut. They took X-rays of everything, tested for a concussion, iced the swollen eye and put some eye drops in her eye.

Presley described the sunglasses that – literally – saved her eye. “They’re called ‘Iron Man’ sunglasses,” she said. “They’re rubber-ish and have poly-carbonated lenses; they’re made to bend and not break as they’re outdoor sunglasses for athletes. The frame bent when I got hit by the ball.”

Billy was online checking out masks for his daughter to wear. He went to GameFace.com where, “it talks about injuries that are pretty horrific – some were worse than others,” Walker said. “I ordered a mask that night. We got it in the team colors – purple. At first Presley had some qualms about wearing the mask but soon got over that.”

While her eye wouldn’t open for another two weeks, Presley was back out on the field – the very next day – taking some light fielding from her dad and Jack Bevers. She didn’t participate in a full work out with the team for precautionary reasons until later on.

A Present Day Presley Michelle Walker (far right) stands with her parents, Billy & Katrina Walker, at her dad's business in Liberty Hill. Presley still recalls her horrifying incident like it was yesterday (Chuck Licata photo)

“We’d go out there every single day and she wore the mask,” Billy stated. “If it weren't for the mask, she wouldn’t have gone out so quickly. The mask gave her the security that (another incident like she’d experienced) wasn't going to happen again and it made her feel safe.

“Her eye was still swollen shut – it was a black eye for about a year. She took batting practice too, but the challenge was to get her on the field playing third base.
That incident had long-term affects, too, as Walker and some of her teammates – like Kourtney Bevers – now wear a mask when playing softball.

“You can see the effect that her injury had on the whole Liberty Hill softball community if you go to a Youth League game out here now. Many of the kids wear them now and no one did before. The masks cost between $34 and $40 and could save your beautiful daughter a life-changing accident. Out of the 8th-grade class, 11 of 12 girls wear the masks.”

For the record, the Pony League team did qualify for nationals and Walker did get back on the field to participate in the national tournament. She remembered the very first ground ball of that tournament like it was yesterday.

“It was the bottom of the first inning,” Walker said. “I definitely had butterfies in my stomach and I was nervous. I got a ball hit to me in (the opposing team’s) first at bat. (As the grounder came to me) I reacted normal – I charged it and threw the runner out.”

Then, with a big smile on her face, Walker continued. “Everyone started cheered loudly because I got through that. I think I earned everyone’s respect after that. I remember looking at Jack (Bevers); he smiled and I felt great.”

Recent LHHS grad Siera Sproul (left) poses with new UTSA teammate Katie Burton at a recent meeting. Sproul, who had commited to ACU, got an opportunity to get a softball scholarship to UTSA - and took it (Sproul Family photo)

This past Sunday was the 18th birthday for recent Liberty Hill High School graduate Siera Sproul.

However, the former LHHS softball and volleyball star got a birthday present – a Division I birthday present.

Sproul, who had committed to Abilene Christian University last year (Dec. 16), announced she had been offered – and accepted – a softball scholarship to the University of Texas-San Antonio, an NCAA Division I school and a member of the Southland Conference.

Sproul signed on to UTSA two weeks ago.

“I’m very excited,” Sproul said Sunday over the phone. “UTSA offered me more and I got a really great deal to play for them. It’s great to get an athletic scholarship to UTSA – it’s a fine school and I like everything down there.”

Siera Sproul (center) is joined by two of her select team softball coaches, Jessca Spring (left) and Chrissy Short (right), at the Westin Hotel in Westminister, CO, as Sproul signs on to play Division I softball at UTSA (Sproul Family Photo)

UTSA had been one of the schools Sproul considered before announcing on Dec. 16, 2009 that she was headed to ACU, an NCAA Division II school, for softball.

But as summer rolled on things developed with UTSA and Sproul – who was in Colorado at the time – got an offer to play at UTSA two weeks ago.

“I’ve always hoped to play Division I softball,” an excited Sproul declared. “My new coach (Lori Cook, who just completed her fifth year at UTSA) told me I’d play the outfield, which is where I’d want to play.”

Academically, Sproul (who will attend freshman orientation on Aug. 9) is looking “to be a physical therapist.”

Needless to say, Sproul’s parents (Buddy and Tammy) and her brother (Steven) will have a much better chance to visit Siera at UTSA (about an hour-and-a-half away) as opposed to if she had gone to ACU (about three hours away).

“They’re all very happy about the shorter distance and travel time, and so am I,” Sproul remarked. “I’m very, very close to my family and I love them very much. This will be great for everyone.”

The UTSA Roadrunners finished 23-29 overall this past spring, including a 15-15 conference mark. The Roadrunners missed out making the conference tournament by one game, ending a streak of six consecutive postseason appearances.

Siera Sproul is introduced at last week's 11th Annual Austin Area All-Star game, a game dedicated to just-graduated seniors (Thunderstruckphotos.com Photo)

Final Score by Chuck Licata

Last Wednesday (June 16) was officially the “last day” of high school athletics for one of LibertyHillHigh School’s “legends.”

Siera Sproul – class of LHHS, 2010 – represented the Lady Panthers (and on a larger scale, the Liberty Hill community) in the 11th Annual Austin All-Star Game, played at WestlakeHigh School.

I’ve done work with the game – which features just-graduated seniors from the Austin/Central Texas area and awards scholarship monies for the MVP from each squad – for 10 of the 11 years it’s been in existence (I had an out-of-town trip one year). It’s my favorite charity with which to donate my time – it raises funds for our local student-athletes, it promotes local softball and the two people I work with (Barbara Gerard and Chuck Slovacek) are a blast.

LHHS grad Siera Sproul played the outfield during the Austin All-Star game last Wednesday (Thunderstruckphotos.com Photo)

This particular game, though, will be very special because of Sproul’s presence.

If you’ve read any of my articles or columns over the past three years, you know I’ve called Sproul “one of the most under-rated female student-athletes in LibertyHillHigh School history.” Some day when I start an LHHS Hall-of-Fame, she’ll be on my first ballot.

In case you didn’t know, here’s Siera’s “credentials” listed in the All-Star Game program: “Siera has earned four varsity letters playing softball and three playing volleyball for LibertyHillHigh School. Her softball honors include Offensive Player of the Year (2010), First Team All District (2009), Second Team All District (’07, ’08) and Academic All District (’07, ’08). Her volleyball honors include Setter of the Year (2010), Academic All District (’08, ’09, ’10) and Second Team All District (2009).

“Siera was named to the National Honor Society, named Distinguished Graduate, earned Panther Award (’07, ‘08), and won a Presidential Award (2009). Siera played for the Texas Blaze, Comets and Stix Gold teams. She will be on the ball field for AbileneChristianUniversity next year.”

Siera Sproul was robbed of a hit in her only at-bat - she hit a line drive down the right-field line that was caught (Thunderstruckphotos.com Photo)

Okay, so now you kind of get an idea why Siera’s name should be listed among LibertyHillHigh School’s best ever.

Anyone who came in contact with Siera also knew she was a class act. In talking with several of her teammates over the past couple years everyone had the highest regard and respect for Sproul. Her former mates said she was a “quiet” leader but someone who wanted to push her teammates – and herself – to their ultimate limits to perform their best, both on and off the field.

Back in September (2009), I interviewed Sproul about the LHHS volleyball team which had yet to live up to its high expectations.

After the interview, I asked her if one of my previous columns – one which stated the volleyball team needed someone to “step up” and “take charge” in clutch situations – was a fair assessment. Since I’d interviewed Siera and talked to her over the years, I figured she’d give me an honest answer.

She didn’t disappoint.

Siera told me, “Yes, it was fair. In fact, I cut it out and showed the team. But to be honest, Chuck, we don’t need just one player to step up in clutch situations – we need the entire team to step up and perform to our own expectations!”

Lo and behold, those Lady Panthers stepped up in a huge way; they not only made the playoffs but “stepped up” their way to the Region I semifinals.

And don’t think for a second Sproul wasn’t among the protagonists on that team. It was just one highlight in a career full of highlights – again, both on and off the court or playing field.

Siera Sproul will be missed by many in the LHHS community. She’ll be among those LHHS graduates who will not only be great examples for the younger students coming up, but will also be talked about for many years to come.

Sproul will play in Wednesday’s Austin Area All-Star Game

Liberty Hill's Siera Sproul - now an LHHS graduate - will participate in the 11th Annual All-Star Game this Wednesday night at Westlake High School. Sproul was named the District 8-3A Offensive MVP (Thunderstruckphotos.com File Photo)

Editor's note: District 8-3A does NOT award a Coach of the Year.

A first-ever trip to the Region I finals has reaped many rewards on Charice Hankins’ Liberty Hill High School softball program.

And the recently-released (June 6) District 8-3A awards validated Liberty Hill’s incredible season as the Lady Panthers took four of five major awards – not surprising since the Lady Panthers recorded a perfect 8-0 district mark on their way to the Region I finals berth.

Soon-to-be junior pitcher Kourtney Bevers grabbed District 8-3A Most Valuable Player honors, while teammates Siera Sproul (a graduated senior) was named Offensive MVP and Courtney Weems (a soon-to-be sophomore) was named Newcomer of the Year.

“I’m very excited and happy about (being named MVP),” Bevers stated at last week’s Lady Panthers Hoop Camp. “But to be honest, this is a team award; this isn’t just about me, it’s about our team’s success.”

Kourtney Bevers, seen here while throwing a no-hitter at Burnet during district play, was named the 2010 District 8-3A MVP (Thunderstruckphotos.com File Photo)

“I just went out and did the best I could each game,” continued Bevers, who played with the LHHS basketball that played in the Region I finals and thus didn’t join the softball team until right before district started. “Paige Holland was (instrumental) for our team. She pitched so many games – and pitched the team to quite a few victories – before district.”

Meantime, Sproul – who’s headed to Abilene Christian University (ACU) to continue her softball career – will play in the 11th Annual Austin Area All-Star game this Wednesday (June 16) at WestlakeHigh School. The game raises money for scholarships for the participating graduated seniors.

“The All-Star game will be pretty cool,” Sproul stated Monday afternoon. “I play on a team with girls who either played with me or against me (in select ball). It will be great to see them again.

“I think it’s amazing how girls I played with will go on to play college softball just like I am. It’s great to know we all stuck with it and now will go on to play college softball.”

As for being named Offensive MVP, Sproul – who started every high school game as a shortstop – was very happy that her hard work was recognized.

After the game, Sproul will be officially “retired” from high school softball.

“It’s a little nerve-wracking thinking about college,” stated Sproul, who also earned Setter of the Year honors during her senior volleyball season. “I’m off to college in two months and I’ll be out on my own. To be honest I’m a bit of a homebody so it will be tough on me.”

Freshman center fielder Courtney Weems was named 8-3A Newcomer of the Year (Thunderstruckphotos.com File Photo)

“It’s really neat to win that award,” stated Sproul, one of the most underrated female student-athletes in LHHS history. “The past two years I’ve had the highest batting average on the team and I’ve been working on my offense very hard. Hitting is my strong point; this award kind of verifies the work I’ve put into in my hitting.

“It’s an honor and gives me incentive to keep working on it.”

That’s why this past season was so special for Sproul.

“We (Lady Panthers) had an amazing year; I can’t explain it,” Sproul said. “What a great way to end my high school career. My freshman and senior years were the best; this year it was a great team effort. It seemed there was always someone that pulled through for the team when we needed it.”

One of those players was Weems, who had a great freshman year (maybe she’s the “freshman” version of a Sproul-to-be?)

“I was surprised to win it, but at the same time I was hoping to play well enough and work hard enough to win the award,” stated Weems, who made a memorable catch in center field in the regional finals against West. “It means a lot to win the award. To be named Newcomer (of the Year) for a team that went to the Region I finals was great, and it means even more to win it as a freshman on the varsity.”

Weems felt confident she could contribute this season – although she admitted to being nervous early in the season.

“It was exciting, especially being a starter on varsity,” Weems said. “I was so happy I could contribute to the team’s efforts and success. We had an awesome season and I hope we can make it to state next year.”

Weems played an inning or two at shortstop this season – and may be in the “talk” about taking over Sproul’s position next season.

“I will play wherever they need me,” Weems declared. “I’ll be happy to play anywhere. My select team just qualified for (a national) tournament and I’ll play all summer in hopes of even being better next year.”

Updated: 6/9/2010 - Staff

2010 District 8-3A Softball Selections

Of course, any high school event needs a High School Administrator – usually a school principal, assistant principal, athletic director or otherwise – on site.

That’s certainly the case for LHHS athletic events. And Principal Bobby Mabry and assistant principal Robert Stoss take it so serious they had a “rotation” for the Liberty Hill varsity softball team’s run in the recent playoffs.

As was explained, Stoss would head out to the first game – usually on a Thursday or Friday night – to be the LHHS administrator representative.

Principal Bobby Mabry would then attend the next day’s game or games – usually on a Friday or Saturday.

Mabry, a very youthful man as it is, had a big smile as he commented to this reporter: “You might say that Robert is the starting pitcher (by attending the first day of the playoffs), then I come in and ‘close’ out the ‘series’ (by attending the last day of the playoffs).”

Mabry has the “frame” of a player who could pitch tomorrow, but one might doubt he would have the arm strength to throw a fastball over 90 MPH.

But considering the Lady Panthers made it to the Region I finals – two rounds further than any other LHHS softball team had ever gone before – Stoss and Mabry can continue their now-famous “starter/closer” rotation the next 10 years in the playoffs.

“Take me Out” to the singing in the stands: Whether the LHHS softball team won or lost in the playoffs, there was a lot of fun to be had in the stands with the Liberty Hill crowd.

And nothing signified that more than the last two series (the Region I semifinals against Abilene Wylie and the finals against West) than a popular, “old-school” song.
LHHS moms Kellye Spangler and Karla Bevers got the Panthers’ faithful fired up with a rousing rendition of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.”

While the resulting singing by the LHHS fans may not have qualified it for American Idol, there’s no doubt Spangler and Bevers had the crowd in a jovial mood.

As Dr. Robert Hart – who sat in on the K-MAC Sports broadcast for Game 2 of the West series – noted: “The fans and their singing is terrific. Even though our girls trail by four runs (LHHS trailed West, 4-0, at the time), our fans are having a great time and giving inspiration to our girls. You can’t ask for a better atmosphere!”

Dr. Robert Hart – future broadcaster: Let’s say this first: this writer hopes Dr. Robert Hart is the LHISD Superintendent for quite a while.

However, as mentioned above, Hart sat in for the K-MAC Sports broadcast of the second game of the Liberty Hill/West series. He joined the broadcast in the bottom of the second and graciously finished out the game.

The feedback over the 2009-10 season was very favorable when Hart (or, in fact, Mabry or any other LHHS administrator) joined a K-MAC broadcast for a short or lengthy interview.

A visit by Hart usually means a good interview as well as insight as to what’s going on in both the school district as well as Liberty Hill community.

Hart and K-MAC Sports are in “conference” about having the LHISD Superintendent join the K-MAC Sports crew on a semi-regular basis during broadcasts for the 2010-11 school year.

LHHS shortstop Siera Sproul looks to make a throw at first base Saturday (May 29) against West. Sproul, a senior, is now headed to Abilene Christian University on a softball scholarship (Thunderstruckphotos.com Photo)

Wow, what a ride.

I think I said that after the LHHS volleyball team – and then girls’ basketball team – made their improbably playoff runs earlier this school year.

And here we are, days after Charice Hankins’ varsity softball squad made it to the Region I finals (where they lost to state tournament-bound West). That’s two rounds deeper than any Liberty Hill varsity softball squad had ever gone.

Liberty Hill senior Chelsey Leath (10) beats out a throw to first in Game 2 of the West series. Leath's enthusiasm and friendly smile will be missed by LHHS faithful next year (Thunderstruckphotos.com Photo)

With the incredible talent coming up through the high school and junior high, there’s no reason to think the Lady Panthers won’t eventually reach the Class 3A state tournament in the next few years.

And maybe more than once.

Here are some notes on the final LHHS sport for the 2009-10 school year, with many reflections (including the state of the stellar Liberty Hill High School women’s athletic program) coming in articles and columns in the next few weeks.

Sproul and Leath leave their mark: The end of the softball team’s playoff run signaled the final games for LHHS seniors Siera Sproul and Chelsey Leath, both of whom played on the ’09 volleyball team that made it to the Region I semifinals.

And just like the rest of their volleyball senior counterparts (Jackie Wattles, Tori Kercheville, Lindsey Lowe and Whitni Lueck), Sproul and Leath were a delight and pleasure to cover and talk to during the year.

While the “bulk” of the 2010 softball team was underclassmen, Sproul and Leath were confident leaders off the field as well as great run-producers and leaders on the field. No doubt they’ll be remembered when talk about this squad comes up in the future.

Potts, Weems flash some serious leather: The Lady Panthers may have lost the Region I finals to West but they took a lot of positives away from that series as well as the entire playoff run.

There are two outstanding defensive plays that rank among the top ever made from the postseason.

Bailey Potts, LHHS junior second baseman, made an incredible play in Game 1 of the Region I semis against Abilene Wylie. As has been documented here, Potts ranged far to her left on a ball hit by Chelsea Contreras that was headed towards right field. In one motion, Potts scooped the ball and made an underhand flip to first baseman Chelsey Leath to complete a highlight-reel play.

Then came Game 1 in the West series, freshman center fielder Courtney Weems made a play just as good as the one by Potts.

West had a runner on first in the sixth when Ashley Anz ripped a line shot to right-center field. Weems left her feet and made a sensational diving catch of the ball. Had the ball gotten by her, West would have had at least one run. It was the kind of play that makes even radio broadcasters leap up and cheer.

And to think – both those young ladies will be back – along with most of their teammates – next year.

Oh what joy – and expectations – await the 2011 softball season.