By Owen Gotimer
LoCoSports Editor-in-Chief
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Purcellville (November 25, 2015) — Woodgrove High School senior Alexa Dolby has signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her softball career at Georgetown University beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year.
“I worked really hard to be able to play softball in college,” the 5-foot-9 Dolby said. “It feels great to have all my hard work pay off.”
Along with continuing her passion for softball, Dolby will get an opportunity to study at one of the most renowned higher education institutions in the United States when she takes the short trip to Washington, D.C. next fall.
“Georgetown is one of the top academic schools in the country, the campus is beautiful and it’s the perfect size,” Dolby said. “For me, it was a perfect fit. I knew it the first time I stepped on campus.”
And Dolby is the perfect fit for Georgetown softball. The Division I Hoyas are led by eleventh-year head coach Pat Conlan who opened the Georgetown softball program in 2006. After the winningest season in school history in 2014 (26-22), the Hoyas struggled in a rebuilding year in 2015. With only three seniors in the class of 2015 and class of 2016, the up-and-coming Georgetown team should be primed for success upon Dolby’s rookie season in 2017.
“I hope to add speed in the outfield and a good mix of consistent power and speed at the plate,” said Dolby who was named an All-LoCo honorable mention in 2015.
While the Hoyas rebuilt in 2015, the Woodgrove Wolverines continued to dominate the local and state competition finishing 25-3 before falling to Carroll County High School in the VHSL 4A state championship. Woodgrove has played in a state championship game in each of its program’s five-year history, winning state titles in 2012 and 2014.
“I expect Woodgrove to do well again this year,” said Dolby who plays travel softball for Wagner’s 3n2. “We have a lot of returning players and are hoping to go all the way.”
Starting softball at a young age, Dolby credits her work ethic and one person in particular for her competiveness on the field.
“My dad has always been my coach, and he helps me practice,” Dolby said. “I am also very self-motivated: I do CrossFit before school, I hit after school, I do something every day to help me get better.”