Athlete of the Week: Haley Tierce | News

Haley Tierce is one of a half-dozen underclassmen leaving a paw print on the Houston County Lady Bears success this season in softball.

"We've done well," says Coach Angela Crawford. "This is kind of a rebuilding season for us. We're starting 6 freshmen and sophomores, so we've had our ups and downs throughout the year trying to get through some growing pains. But now we're pulling it all together at the end of the season."

And Haley is definitely helping pull it all together.

Tierce says, "It's been a great season for me. I mean, I've developed more than I did last year. I've improved more on my hitting and stepped up to a leadership role."

Great season may be an understatement. Haley has improved so much, she is now batting cleanup for head coach Angela Crawford while hitting nearly .400 with 3 homeruns on the season. Couple that with a hardworking attitude and the sophomore exceeds expectations.

Crawford agrees, "She's a first team all-region player for us in the infield and another one of our pitchers. She has definitely been our offensive leader as well as a defensive strength for us at third base."

And not surprisingly, Haley hits the books as hard as she line drives the softball with a stellar 3.5 GPA.

"It's important to be a good student because it's a student athlete, and the main part is being a student," says Tierce.

Crawford echoes Tierce's sentiments, "Well, due to us missing classes in the fall, Haley does a great job and I never have to wonder how she is doing in the classroom. She takes care of business there which allows her to take care of business out here on the field."

Taking care of business like helping win the region 2AAAAA title, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in the playoffs and becoming the last team standing in Houston County. Haley hopes come late October, they can be the last team standing in all of 5A, as the state champions.