With Softball season heating up, players are beginning to cement their roles on the team, settling into their own niches and finding their groove.

Junior Brittany Hopper has been playing varsity softball for the lady Pumas since her freshman year. An essential component of the team, Hopper brings experience and a positive attitude to the dugout.

While many players might get discouraged after a loss, Hopper manages to keep her spirits high.

“She has a great attitude, all the time, and she’s able to get people motivated and get everyone to participate,” senior Madi Gloss explains. In other words, her skills go beyond simple statistics, she can raise spirits and lead by example.

Additionally, while she’s only been playing softball for a total of five years (including her three seasons with the Pumas) Hopper still manages to  match the girls who have been playing since they were toddlers.

Playing for the Hotshots organization during Perry’s off season, she keeps herself focused on softball all year around, honing her skills. Now with the new season opening, it’s clear that all the hard work and dedication has come to pay off. Gloss also explained that “she’s been hitting really well, like she hit her first homerun in the game against Chandler.”

Hopper is also a crowd favorite; when she steps up to the plate the bleachers respond by cheering “The Hoppa!”

As far as her plans after high school go, Hopper expresses that, “I plan on letting softball take me to college, I don’t know where I want to go yet but my goal is either D1 or D2 and to get a scholarship.”

Once in college, Hopper plans on studying to become a pharmaceutical salesman, a difficult but rewarding career.

Hopper certainly has plenty to achieve on the road ahead of her, she is a girl with big dreams and equally impressive potential.