WALLER — After a remarkable year, Waller High School’s (WHS) 2020-2021 Varsity Softball team ended the season as Quarterfinal Champions.

This is the furthest a WHS softball team has ever made it in the playoffs. The team made it to the 4th round playoffs as regional semi-finalists and were one of eight teams left in 5A Region 3.

Head Softball Coach Lise DeBruin credits the success to the team’s dedication to practice. The team included strength and conditioning into their routines and practiced how to handle the pressure on game days. This was also the first senior class DeBruin worked with since their freshman year.

“The success of this season has been a work in progress the past few years,” DeBruin said. “Every kid that played and graduated from here the last few years, contributed and helped to lay the foundation for this year’s success.”

Along with a history-making season, many athletes were awarded District 19-5A Honors. Congratulations to Defensive Player of the Year Hadlee Tomczak and District MVP Erna Carlin. 1st Team All-District: Addison Bean, Kourtney Hurry, Gracie Smith, and Maryssa Zenzen. 2nd Team All-District: Chloe Bennett. Academic All-District: Chloe Bennett, Erna Carlin, Alayna Davis, Madison Dillon, Tyler Hendricks, Kourtney Hurry, Madeline Mitchell, Gracie Smith, Hadlee Tomczak, and Maryssa Zenzen.

“Seeing all their work pay off and their excitement is the ultimate reward for me,” DeBruin said. “This why I do what I do.”