Kelsey Ackerman | Sports Editor
Autumn Boland is a freshman softball player, coming to Buena Vista University (BVU) from North Union High school.
There were several factors that impacted Boland’s decision to attend BVU, as well as be a part of the softball team.
“BVU had too many characteristics that appealed to my values as a student and athlete: The Exercise Science program, Coach B’s softball philosophy, and my little big sister,” Boland said.
Boland is not the first of her family to join the BVU softball program. Her older sister, Cheyanne Boland is a junior on the softball team.
While there are many challenges that come with being on the same team as a sibling, Cheyanne couldn’t be more excited to have the opportunity to play alongside her younger sister.
“In my final seasons of play, I am able to share the ups, downs, lessons, and memories with the person who I can always count on to have my back and be my best friend. We both get to enjoy playing a game we love with each other and continue to build of each other’s passion.
This season, while Boland would love a conference championship, she knows that will take several smaller goals to reach the title of conference champions.
“My smaller goals for this season would be to have two or less errors a game, a winning record, building team chemistry, and a team batting average of 0.300,” Boland said.
As a freshman, Boland has already started contributing to the team on a big level. In the early games of the season, Boland has batted 10 runs in, hit one homerun, two triples, and three doubles.
With it still being early in her first season, Boland has plenty of opportunity for growth as a player.
“I want her to become better each day than she was the day before. She is becoming strong offensively and defensively, and I expect her to continue improving and making an impact at the collegiate level,” Cheyanne said.
Boland already has so much she loves about BVU in her short time here. She loves spending time with all of her teammates and coaches and that she has the opportunity to play with her sister at the collegiate level.
“The girls I get to play with have such a positive impact on my college career along with the rest of my life. Coach B, if you’re reading this, I REALLY did enjoy the 9-11:45 pm practices in the Rec,” Boland said.
The Beaver softball team continues play this weekend at Wartburg with a 1pm and 3pm start time.
Photo courtesy of Autumn Boland
