Another W.S. Neal Lady Eagle softball player will continue her career after high school next year as senior player Kena Ellison will join the Jefferson Davis Community College Lady Warhawk softball team next year as a walk on.
“I feel honored and excited to have been given this opportunity to be able to play softball at a higher level,” Ellison said. “I hope to be able to contribute to the team in a positive way. I look forward to improving as a softball player and experiencing softball at the next level. This is something that I have hoped for. I just kept working hard and waiting for an opportunity like this.”
Ellison will join the other Lady Eagle softball senior Kaitlin Hadaway at JDCC next season. Hadaway signed a scholarship earlier in the year to play at JDCC.
“Kaitlin has been a friend and teammate of mine throughout high school and I’m so glad we both have another chance to play together,” Ellison said. “I look forward to this upcoming season.”
JDCC softball head coach Misti Nims is looking forward to Ellison joining her program.
“Kena was a huge part of W.S. Neal’s area championship at second base,” Nims said. “She is fast, tough, and aggressive. She will have to battle for a starting role, but I feel with a little work on her slap game and strengthening her throwing arm, you will see her on the field.
“I hope to get her on scholarship next year.”
W.S. Neal head coach Jeff Haney said he was proud for this opportunity for Ellison.
“I am super proud of the softball player and person that Kena has become,” he said. “She has worked extremely hard, especially in the last year, for the opportunity to play ball at the next level. I want to thank coach Nims for giving her the opportunity and I think she will be a good addition to the JDCC softball team. She really stepped up as a great leader for our young team this year. I am glad that she and Kaitlin will get to experience college softball together. I will really miss having her on my team. She is not only a solid player, but also a very fun person to be around.
“I feel fortunate to have been able to be her coach throughout her high school career and I wish her luck in her future endeavors.”